Climate Action Planning

2003 Cities for Climate Protection Campaign City Council adopted a resolution to join the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign, an initiative of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. Through this resolution, the Council pledged to take a leadership role in promoting public awareness about the causes and impacts of climate change, while also undertaking a program to reduce both greenhouse gases and air pollution in the city.
2004 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Worcester’s first greenhouse gas emissions inventory (municipal and community) was completed. Building energy, vehicle transportation, and waste were identified as primary sources of emissions (Section 2.1 of the 2007 Climate Action Plan).
2005 U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement

Worcester Mayor Timothy P. Murray signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement,  which committed the City to strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets (7% below 1990 levels by 2012). The Agreement was re-affirmed in 2009 by Mayor Joe O'Brien.

2006-2007

Climate Action Plan

Worcester developed a Climate Action Plan with the help of a consultant and the Energy Task Force, appointed by the City Manager.

The Plan, adopted by City Council on August 28, 2007, established greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and recommended actions to reduce City's emissions and energy use.

Ongoing Climate Action Plan Update

Staff is in the process of working on the draft update to the Climate Action Plan, including an update to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions inventory.


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