Net Zero Action Plan

The Net Zero Action Plan (NZAP) commits Cambridge to continually monitor, evaluate, and adapt strategies for reducing emissions from buildings, which – as Cambridge’s most recent greenhouse gas emissions inventory shows – account for almost 90 percent of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions.

To uphold that commitment, the City is undertaking its second comprehensive five‑year review. This update evaluates the Plan’s impact, considers opportunities to refine the City’s approach, and ensures alignment with current climate science, policy developments, technological advances, and best practices.

Throughout this process, environmental and social equity — as well as long‑term climate resilience — remain central to the framework guiding the Plan’s evolution. To learn more about the NZAP's impact, visit the Greenhouse Gas Inventory page.

Greenhouse Gas Inventory Page

Completed and adopted in January 2023, the first formal 5‑year update to the Net Zero Action Plan refined Cambridge’s building‑emissions strategies based on updated scientific, technological, and policy insights.

The update incorporated Task Force recommendations, introduced SMART goals for each action to strengthen accountability, accelerated timelines for high‑impact activities, and added new measures such as embodied‑carbon reporting and expanded approaches to renewable energy supply. Implementation of the updated plan is now tracked through annual progress reports.

View Final Report

Adopted by the Cambridge City Council in June 2015, the first Net Zero Action Plan established a comprehensive roadmap for eliminating building‑related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The plan introduced strategies to reduce emissions from existing and new buildings, expand renewable energy access, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen community engagement. It also laid the groundwork for continuous monitoring and periodic 5‑year updates to ensure alignment with evolving climate science, technology, and equity considerations.

Getting to Net Zero Framework - Executive Summary
Appendix A - Policy Best Practices Report
Appendix B - Cambridge Building Energy Primer
Appendix C - Energy Supply Primer
Appendix D - Working Group Output: Long List of Actions
Appendix E - Greenhouse Gas Reduction Model
Appendix F - Cambridge Solar Potential Report
Appendix G - Summary of Proposed Actions
Appendix H - List of Working Group Members
Appendix I - Gantt Chart/Action Plan Timeline

Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan FY 2016 Progress Report
Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan FY 2017 Progress Report
Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan FY 2018 Progress Report
Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan FY 2019 Progress Report
Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan FY 2020 Progress Report
Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan FY 2021 Progress Report