Climate Action Plan Committee Appointed, Charged with Developing Recommendations for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions & Building Climate Resiliency in Needham
Group to hold first meeting today
Members of Climate Action Plan Committee will meet for the first time Monday, March 21st as the group begins its work towards developing a Climate Action Plan that includes long-term climate action goals focused on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and building climate resiliency in Needham. (Find the agenda for the meeting here).
The Committee was established by the Select Board earlier this year as part the Board’s Goal “to ensure that Needham is a sustainable, thriving and equitable community that benefits from and supports clean energy; preserves and responsibly uses the earth’s resources; and cares for ecosystems.”
“Climate change is one of the most urgent issues we face globally, and we have a responsibility to do our part here at home to reduce our carbon footprint and build our resiliency,” said Select Board member Marianne Cooley. “I am determined to build on the work we have been doing in this area over the last several years and to develop an action plan for achieving our climate goals. I look forward to working with this group of committed and passionate residents.”
Among other things, the Committee will review the Town’s current climate-related data, establish a program to create a GHG inventory for the entire Town of Needham, and recommend programs and policies to implement GHG reduction goals and climate resilience planning.
The Climate Action Plan will be submitted to the Select Board for its review and approval and will include:
- Definition of the climate action goals for each decade through 2050, with a focus on the next decade;
- Strategic options and incentives that seek to overcome barriers to implementation of climate action goals;
- Recommendations for any structural changes, resource, or staffing recommendations that would assist in implementation;
- Actions to protect environmental justice communities from disproportionate effects of climate change;
- Recommendations for implementing the plan across all sectors of the Town;
- Measures that assist in tracking and reporting Town’s progress towards fulfilling climate action goals; and
- Funding opportunities the Town should consider.
Members of the Committee will serve two-year terms, through June 30, 2024. Members include:
Marianne Cooley, Select Board
Kevin Keane, Select Board
Artie Crocker, Conservation Commission
Natasha Espada, Planning Board
Rachel Bright, At-large
Paul Dellaripa, At-large
Stephen Frail, At-large
Joe Higgins, At-large
Nick Hill, At-large