Cambridge MA. In 2002 Cambridge adopted its Climate Protection Action Plan. Its goal was to reduce emissions 80% by 2050. In 2010 Cambridge became an official Green Community, as designated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Also in 2010 it adopted Green Building Requirements as part of its Zoning Code to promote sustainable and energy-efficient design and development practices in projects of 25,000 sq. ft. or more, including both new construction and some types of substantial renovation. In 2011 the City created the Cambridge Energy Alliance – a City-sponsored program aimed at providing technical assistance and to helping Cambridge residents and businesses to identify and arrange financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. In 2013 the City convened the Getting to Net Zero Task Force to foster a deeper conversation among stakeholders to advance the goal of setting Cambridge on a trajectory to becoming a Net Zero Community, with a focus on carbon emissions from building operations. In 2014 Cambridge adopted its Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO). BEUDO provides a means to provide building energy performance information to the marketplace and enhance local energy planning. In 2015 Cambridge adopted its Net Zero Action Plan. The NZAP targeted a 70% reduction in city-wide building GHG emissions by 2040 to place the city on the pathway to Net Zero Emissions by 2050. In 2018 Cambridge updated its original 2002 Climate Action Plan. per the City’s commitment to the Global Covenant of Mayors. The updated Plan describes how the City will reduce emissions across the entire city to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Tle Plan is based on a 2012 community-wide greenhouse gas emissions inventory that was carried out in 2016. In an April 2021 edition of BOSTON Magazine, which evaluated the performance of 40 cities and towns in the Boston area as regards to climate planning and action, Cambridge took first place. Search “boston magazine” and “green town ranking”. To view the Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan, go to www.sorensonpartners.com and read “City of Cambridge, MA Net Zero Action Plan 5-year Update”. Cambridge began citywide food waste pickup in 2018 and now collects 40 tons of food waste per week from residences, drop-off locations, religious communities, schools, restaurants, food pantries and markets. This food waste is converted into clean energy.
