City setting ambitious agenda to reduce emissions and increase resilience to climate change.

Progressive plan sets short- and medium-term action steps to prepare for climate change, targets 13 action areas like stormwater management, electric vehicles, net-zero and resilient buildings, energy supply, tree canopy, and more.

To prepare for and reduce the effects of climate change, the City of Somerville has developed a comprehensive climate change plan, Somerville Climate Forward, which will officially be presented during a special “Green Carpet” event on Wednesday, November 28, at Somerville’s own global clean tech hub Greentown Labs.

The detailed climate change action plan was developed over the past 18 months with input from over 75 residents, City staff, and technical experts, and prioritizes 13 action areas that will advance Somerville’s progress toward its goal of being a carbon neutral and resilient city. The plan lays out short- and medium-term strategies to reduce Somerville’s contribution to climate change and to prepare the city for the unavoidable impacts of climate change, including increased risks from extreme heat and flooding.

Please join Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Somerville Office of Sustainability and the Environment, and community stakeholders for this special Green Carpet premiere of the City’s Climate Forward plan on Wednesday, November 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Greentown Labs on Somerville Ave. The event will feature several speakers from the Somerville community as well as a special Climate Forward video, ways for Somerville community members to take meaningful action around our climate and carbon neutrality goals, networking with City staff and community experts and stakeholders, and information about some of the cutting edge clean energy technologies being developed in Somerville at Greentown Labs. Refreshments will be served, and all are welcome as we come together to take action against climate change! After the official launch event, the plan and video will be available at www.somervillema.gov/climateforward.

 “Climate change is a complex issue with moving pieces and challenges, but in Somerville, we don’t shy away from a challenge, we face it head-on armed with comprehensive analysis and action plans. In true Somerville fashion, Somerville Climate Forward utilizes a data-driven approach to guide our goals and actions, and it will require true community collaboration,” said Mayor Curtatone. “Now more than ever, we need bold local solutions and transformational change that are only possible through collective action. This plan alone will not prevent global climate change, but if cities around the world take bold action to transform into carbon neutral and resilient cities, we can create a better future for all.”

 “The report released last month by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shocked the world: the dire consequences of climate change are coming sooner than expected,” said Oliver Sellers-Garcia, Director of Somerville’s Office of Sustainability & Environment. “But with Somerville Climate Forward, our community is demonstrating how to take immediate, impactful action on this crisis.”

“The event on November 28 is intended to celebrate the hard work of the many people who helped create this plan and to inspire more members of the Somerville community to get involved in local climate action.  At the event you will be able to learn about the actions the City is planning to take to combat climate change and what you can do to make a difference,” said Sustainability Coordinator Hannah Payne, who managed the creation of Somerville’s first climate action plan.

“Greentown Labs is thrilled to host this event in our Global Center for Cleantech Innovation right here in Somerville,” said Dr. Emily Reichert, CEO of Greentown Labs. “We aim to serve as a hub for cleantech innovation and collaboration, and being part of a community that’s so committed to ambitious climate action is something we’re incredibly proud of. We’re excited to support the Mayor’s Climate Forward vision and can’t wait to see how our entrepreneurs’ technologies might be incorporated into the implementation of the plan!”

To find out more details on the event and to let the organizers know if you are coming, please visit the Eventbrite page here. Please note that there is no parking at Greentown Labs so attendees are encouraged to walk, bike or take public transportation to the event. Questions about the event can be directed to Hannah Payne at hpayne@somervillema.gov.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s Manager of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or nsalamoun@somervillema.gov.