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City of
Cambridge
Community Development > Net Zero Transportation Plan
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Zero Emissions Transportation Plan

The City of Cambridge has launched its Zero Emissions Transportation Plan (ZETP) to support its goal of becoming a net zero community by 2050. Transportation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Cambridge, and this plan outlines the actions needed to eliminate those emissions while making it easier, safer, and more sustainable to get around.

The City Council has set climate goals, including using 100% renewable energy by 2035 and reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Cambridge already has two plans guiding emissions reductions from buildings and solid waste. The Zero Emissions Transportation Plan is the third major piece of the City's climate strategy, focusing on creating a cleaner, healthier transportation system for everyone.

Read the ZETP Executive Summary

2025 Zero Emissions Transportation Plan

Screenshot of the Zero emissions transportation plan cover photo

Zero Emissions Transportation Plan - Executive Summary Translations

Project Schedule

2019
Greenhouse Gas Inventory Updated greenhouse gas emission inventory.
January 2023
Advisory Group Appointed Advisory Group (AG).
February – May 2023
AG Set Up & Learn Advisory Group established and began learning.
June 2023 – January 2024
Brainstorm & Analyze Advisory Group brainstormed ideas and analyzed options.
February – August 2024
Build Agreement Advisory Group deliberated and built consensus.
September 2024 – February 2025
Form a Plan Advisory Group developed the final plan.
January 2024 – June 2025
Community Engagement Gathered community input during plan development and shared information after the plan was released.
Spring 2026 (We're Here!)
Final Plan Released Released the final Zero Emissions Transportation Plan.

Past Meetings

Advisory Group Meeting 1 - February 2, 2023

Advisory Group Meeting 1

 

February 2, 2023

 

Meeting Materials 

Advisory Group Meeting 2 - March 29, 2023

Advisory Group Meeting 2

 

March 29, 2023

Meeting Materials

Advisory Group Meeting 3 - April 26, 2023

Advisory Group Meeting 4 - May 31, 2023

Advisory Group Meeting 4

May 31, 2023

Meeting Materials 

Advisory Group Meeting 5 - June 28, 2023

Advisory Group Meeting 5

June 28, 2023

Meeting Materials 

Advisory Group Meeting 6 - August 9, 2023

Advisory Group Meeting 6

August 9, 2023

Meeting Materials

Advisory Group Meeting 7 - September 27, 2023

Advisory Group Meeting 7

September 27, 2023

Meeting Materials

Advisory Group Meeting 7 - September 27, 2023

Advisory Group Meeting 7

September 27, 2023

Meeting Materials

Advisory Group Meeting 9 - January 24, 2024

Advisory Group Meeting 9

January 24, 2024

Meeting Materials 

Community Meetings - March 6, and March 7, 2024

Community Meetings

March 6, 2024 Via Zoom and March 7, 2024 In-Person at Citywide Senior Center

At these community meetings, City staff answered:

  • What is the planning process?
  • Why is the City doing this?
  • What will the plan do?
  • How will this affect community members?

Community members shared their thoughts on potential actions that could go into the plan.

Meeting Materials

Advisory Group Meeting 10 - March 27, 2024

Advisory Group Meeting 10

March 27, 2024 - 9:00 to 11:30 am

Meeting Materials

Advisory Group Meeting 11 - April 24, 2024

Advisory Group Meeting 11

Meeting Materials 

April 24, 2024 - 9:00 to 11:00 am

Advisory Group Meeting 12 - May 29, 2024

Advisory Group Meeting 12

May 29, 2024 - 9:00 to 11:00 am

Meeting Materials

Advisory Group Meeting 13 - June 12, 2024

Advisory Group Meeting 13

June 12, 2024 - 9:00 to 11:00 am

Meeting Materials 

Advisory Group Meeting 14 - July 31, 2024

Advisory Group Meeting 14

July 31, 2024 - 9:00 to 11:00 am

Meeting Materials

Advisory Group Meeting 15 - October 2, 2024

Advisory Group Meeting 15

October 2, 2024 - 9:00 to 11:00 am

Meeting Materials

Advisory Group Meeting 16 - November 20, 2024

Advisory Group Meeting 16

November 20, 2024 - 9:00 to 11:00 am

Meeting Materials

Community Meetings - November 12, 2024 and November 13, 2024

Community Meetings

November 12, 2024 Via Zoom and November 13, 2024 In-Person at Citywide Senior Center 

At these community meetings, we :

  • Described why the City is making this plan
  • Shared the planning process
  • Discussed proposed draft actions
  • Listened to reflections from community members 

Meeting Materials

Advisory Group Meeting 17 - March 26, 2025

Advisory Group Meeting 17

March 26, 2025 - 9:00 to 11:00 am

Meeting Materials

  • Agenda
  • Presentation (coming soon)

Location: In-person at 344 Broadway, 4th floor conference room, and hybrid via Zoom.

Project Details

What are the goals of the Zero Emissions Transportation Plan?

  1. Remove climate pollution from transportation
  2. Make moving around Cambridge safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable
  3. Improve economic opportunity and address historic injustices
  4. Create a stronger and more connected community

Advisory Group Members

Advisory Group Details

The City has formed an Advisory Group to make recommendations to guide the Net Zero Transportation Plan. The Advisory Group is composed of community organizations that serve or represent Cambridge residents. Our goal is to hear many voices that reflect a variety of experiences, especially those who have been underheard, underserved, and historically excluded in the past.

Advisory Group members will meet for 18 months to share their life experience and how that connects to mobility needs. They are raising issues that affect equity in transportation, as well as other challenges that impact people in their communities. The Advisory Group also learned about transportation issues that lead to climate change, and set guiding principles, are discussing options for strategies and actions, recommending preferred strategies to remove greenhouse gases from transportation, and proposing ways to measure success. Read more here about the purpose and activities of the Advisory Group.

Who are the members of the Advisory Group?

Residents and representatives of organizations in Cambridge. They are:

  • James Pierre, Adius Arts Initiative, Founder
  • Lonnell Wells, Cambridge Bike Giveback, Founder
  • Rachel Tanenhaus, Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities, ADA Coordinator/Executive Director
  • Omriqui Thomas, Cambridge Public Schools Student
  • Yao Wu, Chinese American Association of Cambridge, Member
  • Nora Sears, De Novo Center for Justice and Healing, Volunteer and Training Coordinator (replaced Elizabeth Brusie, Assistant Legal Director)
  • Ibrahim Omar, Islamic Society of Boston Cambridge, Operations Integration Analyst
  • Guerlancia Laurent, Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, Community Liaison and Adult Enrichment Coordinator
  • Angela Vierling-Classen, North Cambridge resident
  • Farris Blount, Cambridge Black Pastor's Alliance, Junior Pastor (expired appointment)
  • Ali Sorrels, Cambridge Women's Center, Co-Director, Operations & Administration (expired appointment)
  • Ben Engle, Food For Free, Chief Operations Officer (expired appointment)

Process Equity

The Advisory Group recognizes that an equitable process for developing the Plan:

  1. Is guided by community voices.
  2. Is transparent.
  3. Prioritizes underserved, underheard, and historically excluded groups of people.
  4. Reduces harm.
  5. Builds long-term relationships.
  6. Is accessible.

 

Key Documents and Resources

2019 Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report

The 2019 Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report measures emissions from buildings, transportation, waste, and other sources. The report provides the baseline data used to develop strategies for reducing emissions across Cambridge.

 

2020 Cambridge Bicycle Plan

The 2020 Cambridge Bicycle Plan outlines a vision for a safe, connected, and comfortable bicycle network for people of all ages and abilities. Expanding bicycling is an important strategy for reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

 

2022 Cambridge Parking Study – Stage 1

The 2022 Cambridge Parking Study evaluated how parking is used throughout the city and identified opportunities to better manage parking. Its findings help inform transportation policies that support climate goals while meeting community needs.

 

Clean Fleet Initiative

The Clean Fleet Initiative helps transition the City's vehicle fleet to cleaner, lower-emission vehicles. By replacing gas- and diesel-powered vehicles with more sustainable alternatives, the initiative reduces greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations.

 

Climate Crisis Working Group Findings

The Climate Crisis Working Group Findings include recommendations to help Cambridge reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for climate impacts, and advance equitable climate action. The findings continue to inform City climate policies and planning efforts.

Cambridge Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Cambridge tracks community-wide greenhouse gas emissions to understand where emissions come from and measure progress toward the City's climate goals. Transportation is one of the largest sources of emissions, making it a key focus of the Zero Emissions Transportation Plan.

Envision Cambridge

Envision Cambridge is the City's comprehensive plan that guides future growth, housing, transportation, sustainability, and economic development. It establishes long-term goals for creating a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable community.

 

Parking and Transportation Demand Management Ordinance

Participation in the Parking and Transportation Demand Management Ordinance is triggered when an owner of non-residential property proposes to add parking above the registered number of spaces. All projects subject to the PTDM Ordinance must have an approved PTDM plan before obtaining required permits, including Special Permits, building permits, and occupancy permits. PTDM plans support sustainability by reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips and encouraging transportation options such as walking, biking, transit, and shared mobility.

Net Zero Action Plan

In 2015, Cambridge adopted the Net Zero Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and conservation. The City also adopted the Zero Waste Master Plan to reduce emissions from waste.

Resilient Cambridge

Resilient Cambridge is the City's climate resilience strategy, focused on preparing for the impacts of climate change such as extreme heat, flooding, and severe storms while supporting healthy, connected neighborhoods.

 

Retail Strategy

Cambridge's Retail Strategy supports vibrant business districts by improving access for people walking, biking, taking transit, and driving. The strategy helps ensure local businesses remain accessible while supporting sustainable transportation.

 

Vehicle Trip Reduction Ordinance

The Vehicle Trip Reduction Ordinance helps reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips by requiring certain employers to develop programs that encourage employees to use sustainable transportation options, such as transit, biking, walking, and carpooling.

Zoning

The Cambridge Zoning Ordinance guides land use and development throughout the city. Zoning helps support walkable neighborhoods, sustainable transportation options, and development patterns that align with the City's climate goals.

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