About Us
Massachusetts, along with other states and nations, has a two-pronged approach to addressing climate change: reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and preparing for impacts.
Massachusetts has played a national leadership role in reducing GHG emissions by establishing emission reduction targets through the Global Warming Solutions Act and participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; and establishing renewable portfolio standard for green electricity through the Green Communities Act.
While many state agencies have taken a leadership role to prepare for climate change impacts, Massachusetts lacks an integrated approach to managing these impacts. To complement these successful mitigation efforts, we now need a statutory requirement for adaptation policy and planning.
Who We Are
We are a coalition of government agencies, business leaders, engineers, architects, and energy and environmental organizations:
A Better City • American Council of Engineering Companies/Massachusetts • American Institute of Architects Massachusetts • Appalachian Mountain Club • Association to Preserve Cape Cod • Boston Harbor Now • Boston Preservation Alliance • Boston Society of Architects • Boston Society of Civil Engineers • Cape Cod Commission • Cape & Islands Self Reliance Corporation • Center for Coastal Studies • Ceres • Charles River Conservancy • Charles River Watershed Association • Clean Water Action • Climate Action Business Association • Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation • Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate and Security at UMass Boston • Consensus Building Institute • Conservation Law Foundation • Environmental League of Massachusetts • Great Marsh Coalition • Green Newton • Health Care Without Harm • Historic New England • Interfaith Power & Light • Kleinfelder • Mass Association of Conservation Commissions • Mass Association of Planning Directors • Mass Association of Regional Planning Agencies • Mass Audubon • Mass Land Trust Coalition • Mass Rivers Alliance • Massachusetts Climate Action Network • Massachusetts Coastal Coalition • Massachusetts Organization of Scientists and Engineers • Metropolitan Area Planning Council • Mystic River Watershed Association • The Nature Conservancy Massachusetts • National Wildlife Federation • New England Forestry Foundation • Newton Conservators • Ocean River Institute • Sierra Club Mass Chapter • Storm Surge • Transportation for Massachusetts • Trust for Public Land • The Trustees of Reservations • Union of Concerned Scientists • Urban Harbors Institute at UMass Boston • Urban Land Institute Boston/New England • US Green Building Council - MA Chapter
The Coalition’s Four-Part Strategy
Executive
Working with the Baker Administration to: support existing state agency efforts in public safety, public health, infrastructure and the environment; expand efforts through public funding in both the operating and capital budget; convene stakeholders and develop integrated policies and program among cabinet secretariats.
Legislative
Advocating for passage of legislation preparing Massachusetts for climate change impacts.
Coalition
Establishing and building a coalition of stakeholders that represent the diversity of stakeholders that are being impacted by climate change.
Public Education & Outreach
Using traditional and social media, such as Twitter, to spread the word about climate adaptation and strategy updates.