The Green Ribbon Commission accelerates Boston toward a climate safe, carbon free, equitable future
City Updates
GRC Applauds the City of Boston for Hiring of new Chief of Planning
The Boston Green Ribbon Commission (GRC) applauds the City of Boston for the appointment of Kairos Shen as Chief of Planning. Shen was Executive Director of the MIT Center for Real Estate from 2020-2024 and currently teaches “City Making” at the MIT Center for Real Estate. For the last two years, Shen has also served as a member of the Article 80 Modernization Steering Committee. He will begin transitioning into the role in early October and will begin serving as the Chief of Planning on October 15. Established by Mayor Wu in July of 2024 to restore planning as a core function of City government, the City of Boston Planning Department will move the city toward a consistent and modernized zoning code, comprehensive short and long term planning, inclusive design standards, and streamlined and predictable development review. The GRC looks forward to working with Shen and the City of Boston Planning Department to support the City in meeting the decarbonization goals laid out in its Climate Action Plan.
Learn moreCCAP Program
Enrollment Open for 2024/2025 Collaborative CAP Program
Applications are now open for Boston area enterprises to enroll in the GRC’s 2024/2025 Collaborative Climate Action Planning (CCAP) cohort through August 1, 2024. Now in its fourth year, the GRC’s successful CCAP approach reduces barriers to taking organizational climate action and developing a strategy for compliance with the City of Boston’s Building Emissions Disclosure and Reporting Ordinance (BERDO). This program includes a peer learning community, trainings, and technical assistance to support companies and organizations in addressing mitigation, resiliency, and climate justice work. The fall’s cohort is open to organizations in any sector and provides a highly cost-effective way to begin organizational strategic climate planning.
Enroll nowCoastal Resilience
“Our coastal communities are on the front lines of climate change, experiencing more frequent and significant storms, increased flooding and erosion, and rising sea levels. It’s important now more than ever to have a strong, bold, and innovative person leading CZM.”
– Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper on the appointment of Alison Brizius as Assistant Secretary and Director of the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM)
Grid Modernization
GRCx Innovation Tour: Eversource Hyde Park Project
Hosted by Eversource, the GRCx Innovation Tour allowed invited guests to take a closer look at the proposed Hyde Park to Dorchester Supply Initiative. During the tour, participants were able to see two proposed clean energy substation sites at Cummins Highway and New England Avenue. Participants heard about the plans for the new electrical infrastructure along with the site selection process with Eversource and local community members. The process of neighborhood engagement and facility siting, and the need for a new clean energy hub in Hyde Park, has been the focus of much discussion during the Green Ribbon Commission’s Boston Grid Modernization meeting series. It was informative and insightful to get a closer look at these potential sites, which are poised to play a critical role in the clean energy transition and electrification process.
Climate Action
Facing unique climate challenges, Boston’s cultural centerpieces take key steps toward sustainability
The Boston Globe recently profiled the GRC’s successful Collaborative Climate Action Planning (CCAP) program, which supports companies and organizations in addressing mitigation, resiliency, and climate justice work. The Globe reporter Ivy Scott took an in-depth look at the program and highlighted some of the great work done by several CCAP alumni including the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Zoo New England. We are still accepting applicants for our next CCAP cohort, and we encourage interested organizations and companies from all sectors to apply on our website.
Read the Full Story