Monday evening, September 29, Caroline Weiss, Newton’s Climate Action Coordinator, gave an update at the Newton Library on the City’s draft Climate Action Plan 2026-2030. Following her presentation, a panel of representatives from various Newton climate action organizations discussed their priorities and answered questions. The event was organized by Ellie Goldberg of Mothers Out Front and A Future Without Gas Newton.
Climate Action Plan: Use less and green the rest
Newton’s 2026-2030 Climate Action Plan will be more concise than the 2020-2025 plan, and it will focus on high-impact actions the City can take. Within the next few weeks, it should be available on the City website for public feedback. The City is aiming for a December publication of the final plan, which will include an online dashboard to track the plan’s progress.
The new plan adds climate adaptation and mitigation to its goals. Its overarching goal remains carbon neutrality by 2050. Caroline Weiss gave an outline of the plan:
- Energy and Buildings
- Electrify buildings and increase energy efficiency
- Facilitate and encourage on-site renewable energy, currently 19 municipal solar projects in the planning process
- Implement ordinances and building codes, such as BERDO
- Reduce electrical use during peak demand
- Transportation and Mobility
- Reduce car dependency and vehicle miles travelled
- Prioritize infrastructure for accessible, sustainable transportation
- Increase bike share and public transportation
- Increase public EV charging stations
- Adopt a zero-emission first vehicle policy for the city fleet
- Consumption and Waste Disposal
- Community Health and Resilience
Panel discussion: Environmental groups’ priorities for Newton
After Caroline Weiss spoke, a panel of local environmental groups reviewed their priorities for Newton. The panel was moderated by Rachel Voss of CREW, and Co-leader of the Massachusetts Make Polluters Pay…