Boston’s 2030 Climate Action Plan Update: Building a More Resilient Future
As extreme heat, flooding, and severe storms become more frequent in our region, planning for climate resilience has never been more important for the Neponset River Watershed.
NepRWA has supported the work of communities that are developing or updating Climate Action Plans to ensure they build resilience as they grow. For example, NepRWA has worked closely as a technical advisor to the City of Boston as it updates its Climate Action Plan to guide sustainability and resilience through 2030.
The final draft of the 2030 Climate Action Plan lays out the city’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen climate resilience along coastlines and in areas vulnerable to extreme heat and severe weather, and prioritize resources and investments in climate justice communities.
Key priorities include:
- Reducing citywide greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from the baseline
- Increasing renewable energy and energy efficiency
- Advancing clean transportation
- Improving citywide climate resilience
- Focusing on coastal resilience, extreme heat, and severe weather preparedness
Achieving Boston’s climate goals will require continued collaboration among city departments, residents, community organizations, businesses, and institutions. As climate impacts such as extreme heat, flooding, and severe storms become more visible, the plan provides a shared framework for building a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient Boston.
NepRWA was invited to participate as one of the city’s community partner organizations and co-hosted an interactive community workshop last summer with the Fairmount Indigo CDC Collaborative. Photo credit: Katherine Diaz.
As Boston moves from planning to implementation, we’re excited to continue working with the city to advance climate resilience, ecological restoration, and meaningful community access along the Neponset River.
NepRWA’s Climate Resilience Work Around Greater Boston
NepRWA feedback on Boston’s Draft Plan:
NepRWA’s goals include:
- Restoring and preserving salt marshes and supporting marsh migration to strengthen coastal resilience
- Supporting the removal or modification of the Baker and T&H Dams to reduce flooding and restore fish passage
- Advancing major restoration efforts within and adjacent to the Lower Neponset River Superfund site
- Identifying areas at higher risk of climate-driven flooding and mitigating it through Green Infrastructure.
In addition, we will continue working to expand green infrastructure, tree canopy, and trail connections along the Neponset Greenway. These efforts align with the city’s goals for more green space, greater access to outdoor recreation, ecological restoration, and reduced flood risk.
Learn more by visiting the City of Boston’s Climate Action Plan page: https://www.boston.gov/departments/environment/boston-climate-action
