Planning for Net Zero by 2050

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Planning for Net Zero by 2050

Net zero 101

Planning for Net Zero by 2050

A multi-municipal planning project led by MAPC with the Towns of Arlington and Natick and the City of Melrose.

Over the next year and half, MAPC will be working with the Towns of Arlington and Natick and the City of Melrose to develop or update their community-wide greenhouse gas inventories and to draft a net zero plan for each community. This multi-municipality approach will allow communities to learn from each other and share best practices as they develop their inventories and plans. This project will lay a foundation for communities across Massachusetts to set ambitious climate goals, and create plans to take action.

This project is primarily supported by a Planning Assistance Grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Download the project one pager to learn more about the details.

Updates & Events

During September 2019, each municipality launched their net zero planning process at local community events. Attendees learned about the importance of their community’s net zero action plan, and started their journeys as net zero heroes!

Upcoming events and engagement opportunities in 2020 will be posted on this page on each community's municipal website.

Tools & Resources

Through this project, MAPC will develop and launch shared resources for communities in Massachusetts to use to support their net zero planning.

Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool and Step-by-Step Guide

MAPC and the consulting firm, DNV GL Energy Services USA Inc., developed an Step-by-Step Guide and Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool for Massachusetts cities and towns. A greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory accounts for the emissions resulting from a geographic boundary in a given year. Learn more.

Municipal Net Zero Playbook

MAPC is developing a Playbook for cities and towns. Strategies will address buildings, energy, transportation, and equity. Topic-specific resources will be released throughout the upcoming year – stay tuned for updates on resource launches, webinars, and more. Learn more.

As a core part of this project, MAPC will be supporting each participating municipality with the development of a community-wide greenhouse gas inventory and a local net zero action plan over the next year and half. Get involved early and stay connected to the planning process by getting in touch with your community's project contact provided below.

Town of Arlington

The Town of Arlington is striving to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. In 2018, the Board of Selectmen established the Clean Energy Future Committee to guide the Town’s progress toward this goal.

Contact Ken Pruitt, Arlington’s Energy Manager, for more information on Net Zero Planning in Arlington.

Town of Natick

Town of Natick passed a resolution at Town Meeting in 2018 adopting the goal of achieving net zero emissions community-wide by 2050. Sign up for the Sustainable Natick Newsletter for updates related to this project and more!

Contact Jillian Wilson-Martin, Natick’s Sustainability Coordinator, for more information on Net Zero Planning in Natick.

City of Melrose

As a member of the Metro Mayors Coalition, the City of Melrose signed a commitment in 2017 to achieve net zero emissions as a region by 2050. Melrose Climate Action is the volunteer committee guiding the City’s development of a net zero action plan.

Contact Martha Grover, Melrose’s Energy Efficiency Manager, for more information on Net Zero Planning in Melrose.