Emma Zehner

Department: Clean Energy
Email: [email protected]

Biography:

Emma joined MAPC in 2023 as Clean Energy and Climate Planner II. In this role, she supports municipal stakeholders in implementing climate action plans, participating in the state’s Green Communities program, developing clean energy workforce development pathways, and navigating the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure. She supports the advancement of equity in utility energy efficiency programs by supporting MAPC’s role on the state’s Energy Efficiency Advisory Council.

Prior to joining MAPC, Emma worked as the Communications and Publications Editor at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, where she pitched and wrote articles related to climate adaptation, sustainability, and housing; copy edited external and internal reports; marketed Lincoln’s publications; and helped to coordinate media coverage of Lincoln’s work. She also held roles with the City of New Haven’s Planning Department, Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, Yale Center for Environmental Justice, and Regional Plan Association

Emma earned a Master of Environmental Management at the Yale School of the Environment, where she completed student consulting projects with organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and Buy-In Community Planning. Her degree focused on urban mitigation, local coastal adaptation, and the intersection of health and equitable, climate-resilient housing. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies from Williams College. She is a member of the Association of State Floodplain Managers and the American Society of Adaptation Professionals.

Areas of Expertise: clean energy, climate adaptation and resilience planning, climate-resilient housing, climate policy, coastal resilience