- Department Home Page
- Community Planning
- Economic Development
- Environmental and
Transportation Planning - Housing
- Community Development Block Grant
- Lead-Safe Cambridge
- About the Department
- Popular Services
- Community Calendar
- Contact Us
- Demographics
- Forms
- Housing Services
- Maps
- Parks and Open Space
- Planning Board Agenda
- Publications
- Zoning Ordinance and Map
- Site Map
- About This Web Site
Use the Site Map to navigate
the site
Climate Protection Initiatives
- Climate Protection in Cambridge
- Why Take Local Action on Climate Change
- Cambridge Climate Protection Plan
- Cambridge Energy Alliance
- Climate Initiatives
- Climate Protection Action Committee
- Green Buildings
- Climate Protection Case Studies
- For More Information
Go
to more information about Cambridge Climate Leaders Program
Go
to more information about City of Cambridge Climate Initiatives
Go
to more information about Community Climate Initiatives
Climate Protection in Cambridge
In 1999, the City Council passed a resolution to join the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP), a campaign of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. The resolution committed the City to prepare a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, set a target to reduce emissions, develop and implement a plan, and monitor the results. Cambridge is one of over 600 local governments around the world -- 147 in the United States and 20 in Massachusetts -- that have joined the CCP effort.
Information about Cambridge's
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Why Take Local Action on Climate Change
Scientific Consensus Grows Stronger
Scientific consensus is strong that human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, explain observed increases in average global temperatures.
- International Panel on Climate Change, Third Assessment Report, 2001
- National Academy of Sciences, Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions, 2001
- U.S. Climate Change Science Program, Our Changing Climate: The U.S. Climate Change Science Program for Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005, 2004
- Arctic Climate Impact Assessment
- Joint Science Academies' Statement: Global Response to Climate Change This file is in PDF format and requires use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.(393 KB)
Climate Change Impacts Will Be Felt Locally
Climate change threatens to cause abrupt changes in what have been relatively stable climatic conditions. The federally commissioned New England Regional Assessment projects that average temperatures by the year 2090 will increase by 6 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated. A 6 degree change would make Boston’s climate more like that of Richmond, Virginia and a 10 degree change more like Atlanta, Georgia. Impacts could include more frequent extreme weather events such as flooding, heavy rainfall, and heat waves; increased smog formation; and more favorable conditions for disease carrying organisms, such as mosquitoes. These impacts will have to be addressed by communities in terms of adapting public infrastructure and responding to public health threats and property damage.
- New England Regional Assessment, 2001
- Climate Change and the Financial Services Industry, UNEP FI Climate Change Working Group, 2002
- CLIMB Project Annual Report (Climate 's Long-term Impacts on Metro Boston)
- Union of Concerned Scientists - Climate change impacts in the Northeast
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Produces Other Benefits
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by cutting fossil fuel use also reduces conventional air pollution, saves money through energy efficiency improvements, improves energy security by diversifying our energy supply, and improves livability of the community.
Cambridge Climate Protection Plan
In December 2002, the City Council adopted the Climate Protection Plan. The plan, which was developed by the City Manager-appointed Climate Protection Task Force and City staff, sets a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2010. Over 100 actions are proposed to achieve the goal. These files are in PDF format and require use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.
- Entire Plan as a single document (3.5 MB)
- Plan Summary
- Cover and Table of Contents (179 KB)
- Section 1 - Introduction (311 KB)
- Section 2 - Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Section 3 - Vision and Strategy
- Section 4 - Energy (1.2 MB)
- Section 5 - Transportation (277 KB)
- Section 6 - Land Use (221 KB)
- Section 7 - Waste
- Section 8 - Implementation
- Appendix I - City Council Resolution (1.3 MB)
- Appendix II - Task Force Principles
- Appendix III - Proposed Actions by Sector
Cambridge Energy Alliance
On March 29, 2007 the City of Cambridge and the Henry P. Kendall Foundation launched a major new energy initiative to implement unprecedented efficiency improvements in energy, water, and transportation. A new, non-profit organization is being created called the Cambridge Energy Alliance, which offer services and financing to upgrade buildings of all types throughout the city. Where appropriate, renewable energy systems and combined heat and power systems will also be installed. To register your interest in the Cambridge Energy Alliance, see the initiative's web site at http://www.cambridgeenergyalliance.org.
Climate Protection Initiatives
Go
to more information about City of Cambridge Initiatives
Go
to more information about Community Initiatives
Climate Protection Action Committee
The City Manager appoints a standing advisory committee to assist in the implementation of the plan. These files are in PDF format and require use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.
- Committee Charge (1.6 MB)
- 2006 Annual Report (354 KB)
- 2005 Annual Report (472 KB)
- 2004 Annual Report (442 KB)
- Bulletins
Follow
this link for the date,
time and place of upcoming meetings.
Green Buildings
The City encourages development of green buildings as a strategy to achieve Cambridge’s goal to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. Buildings that meet the LEED Standards for green buildings include the City Hall Annex, home to the Community Development Department.
The Cambridge Planning Board encourages developers to use the LEED rating system under the Project Review guidelines of the Zoning Ordinance. Special Permit applications are expected to include a preliminary LEED checklist and narrative.
For
more information go to the Green Buildings home page.
Climate Protection Case Studies
These files are in PDF format and require use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.
For More Information
Environmental Planning Resources, including information about Climate Protection, are available through the Division's Resources List.
For more information about climate protection activities in Cambridge please contact John Bolduc, Environmental Planner, jbolduc@cambridgema.gov, at 617/349-4628. The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.
Return
to Environmental and Transportation Planning Division
Return to Community
Development Department home
