MELROSE – With Melrose’s Earth Week festivities underway, Mayor Paul Brodeur announces the completion of the City’s Net Zero Action Plan, designed to be a road map to reducing local greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by the year 2050.
The plan’s 31 strategies include electrifying residential heating systems, switching to electric vehicles, introducing greener transportation options, and greening the community’s electric grid.
“I’m pleased to announce the completion of the Net Zero Action Plan for the City of Melrose,” said Mayor Brodeur. “Melrose has consistently taken a lead when it comes to combatting greenhouse gas emissions, protecting our natural resources, ensuring sustainable practices, and promoting energy efficiency. Since 2009, Melrose has adopted more than 450 solar rooftops and seen a 25% reduction in emissions because of our fuel-efficient vehicle policy, and more. I am proud of what Melrose has accomplished, but there are broader, bolder steps to take. I look forward to working with the community, my colleagues, and local and state entities to complete this important work.”
Staff from the City’s Office of Planning and Community Development created the Net Zero Action Plan in collaboration with Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). The goal of the plan is to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are released by the use of fossil fuels to heat and cool homes and businesses, and power lights, electronics, and vehicles.
In 2020, City staff, consultants, and volunteers worked to identify the primary sources of emissions across the Melrose community. The City’s most recent inventory of greenhouse gas emissions data shows that:
· Buildings are currently largest source of greenhouse gas emissions (61%)
· On-road transportation is the second major source of emissions (over 38%)
· Burning of fossil fuels, such as oil, natural gas, diesel, and gasoline is responsible for over 82% of the City’s community-wide emissions.
“Our research has shown that most of our greenhouse gas emissions are a result of the cars we drive and the fuels we use to heat our homes and buildings,” said Martha Grover, the City’s Sustainability Manager who spearheaded the development of the Net Zero Action Plan. “This plan – and our ambitious goals – outlines how we as a community can do our part to reduce the impact of climate change.”
To discover all the ways to support Melrose in achieving its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, visit www.cityofmelrose.org/mayor/pages/net-zero-action-plan to read the City of Melrose Net Zero Action Plan.