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Climate Forward is Somerville's plan to create a strong, healthy, community in the face of climate change while simultaneously reducing climate change pollution, as referred to as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and our dependence on fossil fuels. Read more about the plan on the Climate Forward webpage.
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This report defines carbon neutrality and analyzes the technological transformations necessary to achieve this emissions reduction target, through the implementation of policies and programs. This report presents a possible pathway to reduce emissions but does not encompass all of the ways the city can reduce emissions and is not intended to be a prescription for how the city should reach its goal. The report is an exercise in understanding what it will take to become carbon neutral and is a baseline resource for the strategies recommended in Climate Forward.
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The Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) analyzes how climate change is expected to impact Somerville in the coming decades. The study looks at Somerville’s risks from sea level rise and storm surge, increasing temperatures, and precipitation-based flooding. The study identifies key priorities of Somerville to focus on in order to reduce climate related risks. The information in the assessment is used to develop strategies in Climate Forward and will help the City make future decisions that can reduce risks to climate impacts within Somerville and within the region.
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The City completes an inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for all of Somerville as well as an inventory of the subset of emissions that are from city government operations every two years. The inventories of 2014 emissions provide a baseline for planning emissions reductions and measuring progress in future years. These reports identify the leading sources of climate change-causing emissions in our community. In 2023, Somerville completed its first Consumption-Based Emissions Inventory (CBEI) an estimate of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the activity of all residents of a geographic area.
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The Somerville Networked Geothermal and Electrification Feasibility Study helps Somerville answer the question: what will it take to electrify buildings, Somerville's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions? This first of its kind report dives into the issue of transformer upgrades and offers solutions, including exploring the connection to geothermal networked systems. If you are having an issue with a transformer upgrade please fill out this form, or are interested in networked geothermal please fill out this form.
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Somerville's Zero Waste Plan provides recommendations for specific actions to build a zero-waste community and align with community climate goals. The plan identifies waste diversion goals and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction initiatives. The plan recommends long-term waste management contracts, equipment considerations, and programs to reduce trash to protect public health and create safe environments.
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Somerville’s Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies actions that can be taken to reduce the dangers to life and property from natural hazard events. The plan makes recommendations to reduce vulnerability to natural hazards such as flooding, hurricanes, and winter storms. The plan also addresses the impacts of climate change, and features recommended mitigation actions the City can take to become more resilient to natural hazards.
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Six municipalities in the Lower Mystic Watershed—Boston (Charlestown and East Boston), Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Somerville, and Winthrop—host New England’s highest concentration of critical infrastructure. These communities partnered with infrastructure managers, state and federal emergency response agencies, community-based organizations, and researchers to understand infrastructure and social vulnerability. This assessment provides us with the data needed to prioritize capital and operational investments.
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In an effort to both lower the cost of electricity bills as well as introduce green power options into our energy supply, the City of Somerville created a citywide electricity bulk buying program known as Community Choice Electricity. The program maximizes savings and provides a full set of consumer protections, including the right for any customer to opt out of the program at any time at no charge.
