Boston's Green New Deal
Learn more about Boston's Green New Deal key priorities and metrics.
What is the Green New Deal?
Boston’s Green New Deal (GND) is a vision for tackling the climate crisis in Boston — with policies that address economic, social, and racial inequities, while advancing health, livability, and justice throughout our neighborhoods for all Boston residents.
Dig into the data
Priority Areas
Building Decarbonization
The City is focused on decarbonizing and electrifying new and existing buildings to drastically reduce carbon emissions and promote healthy home and work environments.
Transportation
We’re committed to ensuring all residents have easy and affordable access to an efficient, carbon-free transportation network.
Clean Energy
We are expanding our role in the energy transition by supporting regional greening of the grid with new clean infrastructure, on-site generation, and clean energy procurement.
Resilience and Nature
From rising sea levels to hotter summer days, Boston is already experiencing the impacts of climate change. We are working to strengthen Boston’s 47-mile coast, while ensuring all residents benefit from trees, parks, and nature in our city.
Workforce
The City and our partners in education, labor, and the private sector are developing our green workforce to ensure a just transition to a green economy.
Funding
To accomplish our climate and equity goals, the City is actively pursuing federal funding opportunities as they become available—including from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Progress Towards a Green New Deal
Through a series of ambitious policies and city-wide investments, Boston has been steadily advancing towards its climate and equity objectives, striving to achieve carbon neutrality in our built environment, promote economic vitality, and enhance climate resilience across the city for all our residents. As the urgency of climate action intensifies, the progress of the Boston Green New Deal stands as our all-of-government commitment to safeguarding our planet for current and future generations. Below is a snapshot of our achievements so far.
Jumpstarting the Gnd with federal funding
The City of Boston utilized American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds to jumpstart transformative citywide and community projects to combat the climate crisis and revitalize local economies disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The chart below details how the City of Boston has allocated ARPA funds into various climate initiatives. By the end of 2024, all ARPA funds must be allocated, prompting the City of Boston to shift its focus towards pursuing federal funding opportunities such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to continue our efforts towards becoming a Green New Deal city. For details on BIL and IRA funding awards and opportunities, visit the GND Federal Funding Dashboard. Additional information regarding ARPA funding allocations can be found on the City's ARPA website.
- Fare-free bus pilot (2022-2026): $16,400,000
- Large Building Green Energy Retrofits Program: $10,000,000
- S.P.A.C.E. Grants: $9,000,000
- PowerCorps Boston: $9,000,000
- America's Best Biking City Initiatives: $8,000,000
- Healthy and Green Retrofit Pilot Program: $5,000,000
- Electrification of BPS School Buses: $2,500,000
- Urban Tree Canopy/Boston Tree Alliance Program: $2,500,000
Timeline of accomplishments
Stormwater utility fee
- Topic: Resilient Stormwater Infrastructure
- To fund the modernization of Boston's stormwater infrastructure, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission launched a new stormwater utility fee based on the amount of impervious surface on a property. Funds from this surcharge will go towards stormwater management systems, such as pipe replacement and upsizing and investments in green infrastructure, to proactively mitigate flooding and pollution runoff.
Boston supports offshore wind energy
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Topic: Accelerate Decarbonization
- The City of Boston expressed support for Avangrid's proposal for offshore wind energy. If it is selected by the state, Boston would become the first US city to contract for offshore wind. The energy generated from the project would partially be used to power our municipal buildings, contributing significantly to our 2030 goal of procuring 100% clean energy for municipal operations.
Boston invests in esg funds
- Topic: Divest/Reinvest in a Climate Just Future
- Since 2021, Boston has invested $400M of public funds into environmental, social, and governance (ESG) funds. This year, for the first time, the City of Boston will invest money from its trust fund into an ESG portfolio managed by a sustainable investments manager.
Fossil Fuel-Free Municipal Buildings Executive Order signed
- Topic: Accelerate Decarbonization
- The Executive Order requires all new construction and major renovation projects in the City's building portfolio are fossil-fuel free.
SPACE Program launched
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Topic: Equitable Small Business Recovery
- The Supporting Pandemic Affected Community Enterprises (SPACE) Grant Program provides grants of up to $200,000 to small businesses looking to open a new storefront, or expand their existing store, in vacant commercial space.
Boston joined the C40 Divest/Invest Accelerator
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Topic: Divest/Reinvest in a Climate Just Accelerator
- C40 Cities is a global network of cities calling on united action to confront the climate crisis. The Divest/Invest Accelerator program is a coalition of C40 cities that champion fossil fuel divestment of city assets.
Good food purchasing program at boston public schools
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Topic: Food Justice
- The Boston Public School system will be the first to implement the Good Food Purchasing Program framework to ensure healthy, locally sourced food is accessible to all BPS students.
SCALE Program launched
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Topic: Equitable Small Business Recovery
- The Supplying Capital And Leveraging Education (SCALE) program will assist small businesses, with a focus on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), with industry-specific technical assistance, programming, and consulting services. The program aims to prepare these small businesses in their attempt to compete for public and private contracts.
Urban Forestry Division created
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Topic: Urban Tree Canopy
- The Urban Forestry Division sits within the Parks and Recreation Department and is tasked with executing the Urban Forestry Plan. The Division will proactively and equitably expand our urban tree canopy, focusing on under-canopied and environmental justice neighborhoods, as well as support workforce development opportunities.
stormwater infiltration requirements for city projects
- Topic: Resilient Stormwater Infrastructure
- A new policy requires qualified City projects include stormwater mitigation through the use of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater flooding and filter pollutants from runoff before it reaches our waterways. Green infrastructure also increases our urban tree canopy, mitigates the urban heat island effect, and enhances ecological diversity.
PowerCorpsBOS launched
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Topic: Urban Climate Corps
- This program provides career pathways through job training essential to our green workforce. PowerCorpsBOS pays its members to participate in hands-on training in fields such as building operations, urban forestry, and urban greening. Since its start, the program has graduated three cohorts totaling 80 participants.
Small business relief and restaurant revitalization funds
- Topic: Equitable Small Business Recovery
- These relief funds were launched to assist small businesses in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Divestment passes for City of Boston investments
- Topic: Divest/Reinvest in a Climate Just Future
- At her first bill signing, Mayor Michelle Wu signed an ordinance requiring the City of Boston divest all public funds from fossil fuel, tobacco, and private prison industries by the end of 2025.
Three fare-free bus routes start
- Topic: Transportation Justice
- In an effort to make public transit more convenient, accessible, and affordable for all residents, bus routes 23, 28, and 29 will be free to use for all riders from March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2026.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing passed
- Topic: Clean Energy Financing
- The City of Boston submitted an Order authorizing building owners in Boston to participate in the statewide PACE financing program. This program, overseen by MassDevelopment, provides low-cost and long-term funding for energy efficiency projects in large buildings. This critical financing tool can be used by building owners subject to the emissions reduction requirements outlined in the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) for their building decarbonization and electrification projects.
Current Green New Deal Projects
Boston is pioneering innovative solutions to combat climate change while fostering equitable growth and resilience. From renewable energy initiatives to green infrastructure projects and sustainable transportation developments, each project embodies our dedication to creating a more vibrant, healthy, and inclusive city for all. Below is a snapshot of Green New Deal projects with dedicated budget and staff happening across City departments.
Get Involved
Explore MassSave
Explore cost-saving energy efficiency solutions for your home or small business
Find an EV Charger near you
Use this map to find electric, publicly accessible fueling stations near you
Join Green 100
Use this form to opt in for the 100% renewable offering of Boston's Community Choice Electricity Program
Sign up for AlertBoston
Join AlertBoston to stay in-the-know in case of an emergency
Sign up for Curbside Composting
Register for Boston's curbside food waste collection service
Apply to PowerCorpsBOS
Apply for PowerCorpsBOS, our green jobs training program for young adults.
GND in Action
GND in ActionADDITIONAL INFORMATION
More InfoA description of each of the GND metrics can be reviewed in the Metrics Glossary, found below:
Boston’s Climate Action Plan and Climate Ready Boston reports have laid the foundation for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and building climate resilience. We report on the progress of the recommendations in these plans through annual progress reports. We also conduct annual GHG tracking to measure trends toward our 2050 carbon neutrality goals.
- October 10, 2024: Mayor Wu Signs Executive Order Creating a Climate Council for the City of Boston
- October 3, 2024: City of Boston Unveils 30 Green Roofs on Bus Shelters
- October 1, 2024: Mayor Wu, U.S. Representative McGovern Visit Joe Czajkowski Farm in Hadley, MA to Highlight BPS Farm-To-School Partnerships
- September 27, 2024: City of Boston Hosts Deployables Day to Showcase Flood Protection and Preparedness
- September 17, 2024: Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Parks Department Announce Expansion of Sherrin Woods Urban Wild
- August 13, 2024: Streets Cabinet Announces Bluebikes Expansion Planning
- August 8, 2024: City of Boston Partners with Google on Traffic Signal Optimization
- August 5, 2024: Boston Revamps Environment, Energy, and Open Space Cabinet for Dedicated Climate Resilience Focus and Leadership
- August 5, 2024: Mayor Wu Announces Launch of the Boston E-Bikes Incentive Program
- July 25, 2024: BPS Wins Green Fleet Award
- July 12, 2024: Urban Forestry Division Has Banner Season for Street Tree Planting
- July 1, 2024: Mayor Wu, Senator Warren, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Local Elected Officials and Residents celebrated the Grand Opening of The Pryde in Hyde Park
- June 28, 2024: Mayor Wu Announces Expanded Curbside Charging for Electric Vehicles
- June 27, 2024: Mayor Michelle Wu, Boston Parks Department Cut Ribbon on Improvements to Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild
- June 5, 2024: Adrian Jordan appointed Chief of Emergency Preparedness
- May 16, 2024: Mayor Michelle Wu and Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri sign agreement to codify shared commitment to bolstering economic, climate, educational ties
- May 13, 2024: Mayor Michelle Wu to attend climate summit at the Vatican to showcase Boston's leadership on climate action to global audience
- May 6, 2024: Investments of $67 million to create and preserve 802 income-restricted homes in Boston
- April 29, 2024: Mayor Wu celebrates the opening of income-restricted, supportive housing for older Bostonians in Nubian Square
- April 23, 2024: Second round of S.P.A.C.E. grant awardees announced
- April 17, 2024: Mayor Wu Announces Brian Swett as City of Boston's First Chief Climate Officer
- April 8, 2024: City of Boston Invests in Enhanced Emergency and Coastal Resilience Planning FloodMapps
- March 27, 2024: Mayor Wu Announces Support for Avangrid's Proposal for Offshore Wind Energy
- February 6, 2024: Free Fares On Bus Routes 23, 28, and 29 Extended For Two More Years
- January 25, 2024: Boston Housing Authority, National Grid Agree to Develop Networked Geothermal Heating at Franklin Field Apartments
- January 22, 2024: Mayor Wu Signs Public Tree Protection Ordinance Advancing Urban Forest Plan
- December 22, 2023: City of Boston Finalizes Regulations Ensure Large Buildings Achieve Carbon Neutrality By 2050
- December 20, 2023: Mayor Wu and PowerCorpsBOS Celebrate Graduation Third Cohort
- November 27, 2023: City of Boston Announces New Community Choice Electricity Rates
- November 2, 2023: Mayor Wu Announces Next Steps To Enhance Coastal Resilience In East Boston
- October 6, 2023: $11 Million Federal Grant To Enhance Boston's Tree Canopy, Bolster Workforce Development Opportunities
- September 25, 2023: Mary Skelton Roberts appointed to the Board of Directors of the MBTA.
- September 21, 2023: Healthy and Green Retrofit Pilot Program
- July 31, 2023: Mayor Wu signs Executive Order (EO) Eliminating the Use of Fossil Fuels in New Construction and Major Renovations of City Buildings
- June 27, 2023: Graduation of Second Cohort of PowerCorpsBOS
- June 1, 2023: The Tree Alliance
- May 23, 2023: Safety Surge
- April 21, 2023: Curbside Food Waste Program Expansion
- March 17, 2023: Strategies to Enhance Energy Efficiency in Boston
- February 13, 2023: New PowerCorps Career Pathway Available in Building Operations
- February 6, 2023: Mayor Wu Announces Start of School Bus Fleet Electrification
- January 27, 2023: Climate Ready Boston partnering with Army Corps
- November 28, 2022: Mayor Wu Announces Next Steps to Transition Municipal Properties to a Renewable Energy Supply
- November 10, 2022: Mayor Wu reopens City Hall Plaza
- November 3, 2022: Urban Wilds Program
- October 21, 2022: Mayor Wu announces new environmental standards for city infrastructure, requiring use of green infrastructure
- October 12, 2022: Mayor Wu announces release of Boston Common Master Plan
- September 26, 2022: Mayor Wu announces new forestry division and Urban Forest Plan to enhance and protect city's tree canopy
- September 6, 2022: Mayor Wu and the Boston Transportation Department announce expansion of Boston's bike network and safer streets
- August 19, 2022: $50 million in funding available for affordable housing
- August 12, 2022: Mayor Wu announces strategies to enhance coastal resilience in East Boston and Charlestown
- August 8, 2022: Mayor Wu appoints Oliver Sellers-Garcia as Boston Green New Deal Director
- July 28, 2022: Mayor Wu appoints Kate England as Boston's inaugural Director of Green Infrastructure
- July 7, 2022: Parks Department Recognized with Preservation and Climate Change Awards
- May 26, 2022: Curbside food waste collection program announced
- May 12, 2022: Green New Deal for Boston Public Schools launched
- May 11, 2022: Access increased to renewable energy and energy efficiency
- April 22, 2022: Critical actions to mitigate extreme heat in Environmental Justice Communities announced
- April 14, 2022: Zero Waste Earth Week
- April 6, 2022: Progress made toward electrifying City of Boston vehicle fleet
- February 14, 2022: Executive Director of Youth Green jobs initiative named
- February 11, 2022: Community Clean Air grant recipient announced
- December 15, 2021: New, lower community choice electricity rates announced
- December 10, 2021: New steps to reduce vehicle emissions in Boston
- December 1, 2021: Mayor Wu signs ordinance to divest City funds from the fossil fuel industry