The 15 communities of the Metro Mayors Climate Taskforce work together and with federal and state agencies to address vulnerabilities in Metro Boston's communities and shared infrastructure. The Taskforce strives to ensure that its member communities coordinate and integrate their climate mitigation and adaptation work, prioritizing working fairly, equitably, and inclusively to ensure that vulnerable populations have protection and adaptive capacity in the face of climate change.
Questions? Contact:
Cammy Peterson
Director of Clean Energy
cpeterson@mapc.org
617-933-0791
Members
The Metro Mayors Coalition (MMC) is a groundbreaking coalition made up of 15 communities in Greater Boston. It is a voluntary forum where members exchange information and create solutions to common problems. MAPC helped to establish the Metro Mayors Coalition in 2001, and provides staff support and financial administration.
The Metro Mayors Coalition comprises of mayors and managers from Arlington, Boston, Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Medford, Newton, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, and Winthrop.
In addition to the 15 municipalities of the Metro Mayors Coalition, the following agencies are active on the Metro Mayors Climate Taskforce: U.S. EPA, MA EOEEA, MassDOT, MBTA, MWRA, MassCEC, MassPort.
History
In May 2015, the Metro Mayors Coalition convened to sign a historic Climate Preparedness Commitment. The mayors and managers pledged to work together to prepare the region for climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As part of the summit, the MMC also launched an ongoing task force to guide collaborative efforts that address vulnerabilities in the region’s communities and shared infrastructure. The Metro Mayors Climate Taskforce coordinates a regional and cross-governmental effort to protect critical infrastructure and other vital resources and systems. The Taskforce also makes policy recommendations and sets regional priorities based on the goals outlined in the Climate Preparedness Commitment.
The Taskforce meets quarterly at MAPC and convenes for capacity-building workshops in between meetings.
Strategic Priorities
Priority Area 1
Enhance local alignment and capacity building
Priority Area 2
Mitigate heat impacts across the region
Priority Area 3
Mitigate flooding impacts across the region
Priority Area 4
Deepen regional, state, and federal coordination on public and private infrastructure activities
events, projects, & commitments
Building Resilience to Climate-Driven Heat
2020-2021
In 2020, the Metro Mayors Climate Taskforce launched a process to develop a regional heat preparedness plan for the 15 Metro Mayors communities to respond to climate-driven heat.
This two-year planning process is funded through a Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Action Grant. The resulting plan will provide a roadmap of priority actions in addressing both public health concerns, as well as long-term solutions to reducing urban heat islands.
Regional Climate Collaboration: A Metro Mayors Celebration
2021
In early 2021, the Metro Mayors hosted a virtual celebration to reflect on the successes and challenges of advancing regional climate work over the past five years. The Mayoral panel also spoke about the intersections between climate, equity, and addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Climate Resilient Land Use Strategies
2020
In 2020, the Climate Taskforce hosted a webinar series on Climate Resilient Land Use and Zoning to share emerging and best practices across the region and U.S.
The two workshops were:
- Climate Resilient Zoning in Practice: Best and Emerging Practices
This recorded workshop is a panel discussion on emerging and best practices to integrate climate resilience into local land use policy and planning. Speakers include planners from New York City, NY, Norfolk, VA, and Somerville, MA. - Climate Resilient Land Use Planning: A Primer for Local Governments
This recorded workshop focused on understanding regional climate impacts and opportunities to integrate resilience into local land use planning. The workshop included resources developed by MAPC and small group discussions.
Click here to watch the trainings and download presentations.
Climate Mitigation Commitment
2016
Read the 2016 Climate Mitigation Commitment
In July 2017, after the Trump administration announced that the U.S. would be withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, the Metro Mayors Coalition released a statement of strong-support for the accord and reaffirmed its commitment to make Metro Boston a net zero region by 2050.
Climate Preparedness Commitment
2015
Read the 2015 Climate Preparedness Commitment
In November 2016, the MMC gathered to announce the Taskforce’s four strategic priorities for advancing climate preparedness in the region and to sign a climate mitigation commitment inspired by the Paris Climate Accord signed by more than 190 countries. The mitigation commitment set a region net-zero goal of 2050.
Press Releases and Statements
August 18, 2017: MAPC Issues statement on anticipated U.S. withdrawal from Paris climate accord
November 17, 2016: Fourteen Metro Mayors Commit to Combat and Prepare for Climate Change