Agenda Summary
title
In support of Climate Forward 2024.
body
Official Text
WHEREAS: The findings of the 2017 and 2023 Somerville Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments indicate that Somerville is expected to experience extreme heat, coastal flooding, and stormwater flooding resulting from climate change, endangering the life and property of residents; and
WHEREAS: The City of Somerville, in 2024, updated the inaugural Climate Forward 2018 to adapt to the escalating consequences of human-caused climate change, drawing on feedback from more than 700 community members and the latest climate data; and
WHEREAS: Climate Forward 2024 establishes priorities and strategies for implementation through 2035 to: drive a just transition to renewable energy, prioritizing affordable resilient, health, and high-performing buildings and homes; prepare the community for the risks of climate change and ensure all community members have access to resources to meet their basic needs; practice smart use of resources by protecting trees and natural resources, decreasing consumption, and enhancing opportunities for recycling, recovery, and reuse of materials; and, ensure that affordable, safe, and zero-emission modes of transportation are accessible to all residents of Somerville; and
WHEREAS: The City Council has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to municipal climate leadership by supporting increased use of renewable energy in Somerville’s electricity supply, establishing goals and strategies to align with the principles of the Paris Agreement and federal Green New Deal resolution, collaborating with the administration on pursuing participation in the fossil fuel free pilot established by the state legislature, and encouraging state and federal action to advance climate change resiliency and mitigation policies; and
WHEREAS: The scientific basis for regulation of greenhouse gases is established, and municipal climate leadership is more important than ever to build equitable, resilient, and thriving communities; and
WHEREAS: The City of Somerville has demonstrated measurable progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to clean energy, and integrating climate resilience into local planning and, as a result, was officially named a Certified Climate Leader Community by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources in 2025; and
WHEREAS: Climate Forward 2024 envisions proactively preparing for climate change, acting as a regional leader to spark action in other communities, and setting a goal for Somerville to achieve carbon net-negative emissions by 2050, removing more emissions than the community emits and prioritizing direct emission sources within Somerville; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED: That this City Council supports continued progress on the goals and strategies of Climate Forward 2024, the City of Somerville’s Community Climate Action Plan.