BERDO Review Board
The Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) Review Board works to ensure the equitable implementation of BERDO, the City's initiative to get large buildings to net zero emissions by 2050.
NOTICE: The deadline to apply for a Building Portfolio and/or an Individual Compliance Schedule to be in effect in 2025 was January 6, 2025. Applications received after this date will be considered for the year 2026.
-
Have questions? Contact us:
-
1 City Hall Square, Room 709 Boston, MA 02201
About the Review Board
The BERDO Review Board is a nine-member independent board of volunteers. They oversee the implementation of BERDO and work to ensure environmental justice communities benefit from BERDO decarbonization efforts.
Of the nine members who comprise the board:
▸ Six must be nominated by a community-based organization,
▸ Two may be nominated by any individual or organization, including self-nomination, and
▸ One is reserved for the Chair of the Boston City Council's Environmental Justice, Resiliency, and Parks Committee, or their designee.
The Review Board has authority to:
- Review, accept, or deny applications for flexibility measures.
- Grant funding decisions for the Equitable Emissions Investment Fund.
- Issue notice of violations subject to penalties.
- Recommend updates to BERDO regulations and policies.
Flexibility Measures
Flexibility Measures refer to options that building owners may use to adjust their emissions limits and/or emissions reduction timelines. All flexibility measures have eligibility requirements and most require approval from the BERDO Review Board. Those requiring approval by the BERDO Review Board include:
▸ Building Portfolios: Group your BERDO buildings into a Building Portfolio and comply with a portfolio-level Blended Emissions Standard.
▸ Individual Compliance Schedules: Create a customized emissions reduction timeline based on your own historical emissions and selecting a baseline year.
▸ Hardship Compliance Plans: Demonstrate eligible technical or financial hardships and request an alternative emissions reduction timeline and/or more flexible emissions reduction targets. Read the application guide and FAQs for more information.
Deadlines for Flexibility Measure Applications
DEADLINES FOR FLEXIBILITY MEASURE APPLICATIONS
|
Rolling Basis* |
▸Short-term Hardship Compliance Plan applications to be in effect in 2025 |
↗ To submit, review the Hardship Compliance Plan application guides and submit your application packet by emailing it to BerdoReviewBoard@boston.gov. |
|
April 1, 2025 |
▸Long-term Hardship Compliance Plan applications |
↗ To submit, review the Hardship Compliance Plan application guides and submit your application packet by emailing it to BerdoReviewBoard@boston.gov. |
|
September 1, 2025 |
▸Building Portfolio applications ▸Individual Compliance Schedule applications |
↗ To submit, fill out and submit an application form via the BERDO Application Homepage. |
| October 1, 2025 | ▸Short-term Hardship Compliance Plan applications to be in effect in 2026 | ↗ To submit, review the Hardship Compliance Plan application guides and submit your application packet by emailing it to BerdoReviewBoard@boston.gov. |
*Short-term Hardship Compliance Plan applications are being accepted on a rolling basis after October 1, 2024. If you've explored other compliance options, are facing extenuating circumstances, and have determined that a Short-term Hardship Compliance Plan is necessary, the City will accept your application. Please submit your application as soon as possible. Earlier submission can provide greater certainty for your planning.
Equitable Emissions Investment Fund
The FundThe Fund is a new fund created under BERDO. Money from the Fund can be used for the support, implementation, and administration of local building carbon abatement projects.
BERDO Resources
Resources↗ TEMPLATE FOR BUILDING PORTFOLIO BLENDED EMISSIONS STANDARD
↗ application guide & FAQ
↗ Compliance Cost Calculator template
↗ english Template for Notice of HCP Hearing
↗ translated templates for notice of HCP hearing
The Commercial Real Estate Working Group meets to discuss topics and potential issues that arise for the commercial real estate industry in relation to the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance.
↗ Working Group Members and Meeting MinutesThe Healthcare Institutions Connected to District Energy Systems Working Group meets to discuss topics and potential issues that arise for healthcare institutions in relation to the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance.
↗ Working Group members and Meeting MinutesLearn how to use the BERDO Environmental Justice map tool with this How-to-guide.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming EventsMeeting Minutes and Agendas
Meeting MinutesJanuary 13, 2025
December 9, 2024
November 25, 2024
November 12, 2024
October 28, 2024
October 15, 2024
September 23, 2024
September 9, 2024
August 26, 2024
August 12, 2024
June 24, 2024
June 10, 2024
April 22, 2024
April 8, 2024
March 11, 2024
February 26, 2024
February 12, 2024
January 8, 2024
December 4, 2023
November 20, 2023
November 6, 2023
October 23, 2023
October 2, 2023
September 11, 2023
August 21, 2023
August 7, 2023
July 24, 2023
July 10, 2023
June 26, 2023
June 12, 2023
Current Board Members
Members
Who's Involved:
-
Have questions? Contact us:
-
1 City Hall Square, Room 709 Boston, MA 02201
