Latest Updates
Review the 2024 Zero Net Carbon Proposal
On September 28, 2022, the BPDA posted the proposed Zoning Update and Policy & Standards, along with an Executive Summary, as DRAFTS for public review and comment.
Comments are due by October 28, 2022. Please submit online comments on this page or email comments directly to John Dalzell at [email protected].
Following the close of comment period, the BPDA will post and review comments. Additionally, the BPDA is reviewing the Department of Energy Resources' Updated Base Energy Code, Stretch Energy Code, and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code to understand where our ZNC zoning and policies align with the State's and how the City's zoning approach can strengthen and expand our carbon neutral goals. The BPDA will host another public meeting to discuss this analysis and any changes to the draft zoning and policies. Once updates have been shared and vetted, the zoning will proceed to the BPDA Board for approval and then will require approval by the Boston Zoning Commission over the next few months.
Thank you to the many citizens, advocates, organizations and building design, development, and construction leaders and experts who have contributed to these recommendations!
The City ZNC Team would like to hear from individuals and organizations; please let us know if you would like to host an organizational meeting or speak with City staff.
Previous Meetings & Engagement
Wednesday, September 28, 2022 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Members of the ZNC team hosted a virtual Public Meeting beginning the regulatory adoption process for Boston's Zero Net Carbon Building Zoning and Zoning Article 37 Updates. The meeting consisted of presentations introducing recommended Article 37/ZNC zoning and policy updates followed by a Q&A and open discussion.
The Final ZNC Building Zoning Initiative Report and the recommended zoning and policy updates are available to review and are followed by a 30 day public comment period.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Boston Zero Net Carbon Zoning Public Meeting
Thursday, October 20, 2021 | 6:00 PM
Members of the City's Zero Net Carbon Building Zoning Initiative team met for a virtual Public Meeting including a summary of recommendations for Boston's Zero Net Carbon Building Zoning and Zoning Article 37 Updates.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Embodied Carbon Technical Advisory Group Meeting #4
Wednesday, August 4, 2021 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Embodied Carbon Technical Advisory Group Meeting #3
Wednesday, July 14, 2021 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
On-site Renewable Energy Technical Advisory Group Meeting #3
Friday, June 25, 2021 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Embodied Carbon Technical Advisory Group Meeting #2
Wednesday, June 2, 2021 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Renewable Energy Procurement Technical Advisory Group Meeting #4
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Embodied Carbon Technical Advisory Group Meeting #1
Wednesday, May 12, 2021 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 | 2:00 PM
The BPDA / City of Boston and our partners at the Carbon Leadership Forum, Architecture 2030, the BSA and Built Environment Plus hosted a virtual meeting on the carbon impacts of building materials and potential reduction strategies in support of Boston's goals for carbon neutrality by 2050. The meeting consisted of presentations by city and professional experts followed by a Q&A and moderated discussion.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
On-site Renewable Energy Technical Advisory Group Meeting #2
Tuesday, April 20, 2021 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Low Carbon Building Technical Advisory Group Meeting #4
Monday, April 12, 2021 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
On-site Renewable Energy Technical Advisory Group Meeting #1
Wednesday, March 31, 2021 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Renewable Energy Procurement Technical Advisory Group Meeting #3
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Renewable Energy Procurement Technical Advisory Group Meeting #2
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Low Carbon Building Technical Advisory Group Meeting #3
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Renewable Energy Procurement Technical Advisory Group Meeting #1
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Low Carbon Building Technical Advisory Group Meeting #2
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | 2:00 PM
This meeting was hosted virtually. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Presentation-Discussion | Video Recording
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 | 6:00 PM
Members of the Zero Net Carbon Building Zoning team introduced Boston's strategies for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, including the development of zero net carbon building zoning for new construction, and related updates to Boston Zoning Article 37 Green Buildings. The meeting consisted of presentations by city and professional experts followed by a Q&A and open discussion.
Presentation | Video Recording | Q&A Report
Overview
The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) is excited to announce the launch of the Zero Net Carbon Building Zoning Initiative that will assess and identify strategies to strengthen green building zoning requirements to a zero net carbon standard for new construction. This is a critical step for advancing practices to meet the City of Boston's goal for Boston to be carbon neutral by 2050. In the coming weeks BPDA staff, with a team of building experts, will be reaching out to engage Boston residents and professionals to join the discussion and assist in developing Zero Net Carbon Building Zoning.
If you are interested in participating in the discussion please sign up for future updates and notices. If you have specific questions please reach out to John Dalzell ([email protected]) or Richard McGuinness ([email protected]).
In October 2019, the City of Boston released Boston's Climate Action Plan 2019 Update detailing specific actions the City will take over the next five years to significantly cut emissions across all sectors of city life, in order to reach our ultimate goal of carbon neutrality.
"This carbon reduction plan works hand-in-hand with Climate Ready Boston, our initiative to prepare our neighborhoods for the impacts we know we will face as a result of climate change, as well as Resilient Boston Harbor, our plan to strengthen Boston’s entire 47-mile coastline with a system of parks, beaches, and trails that block floods and improve quality of life all year round.
We know that communities that contribute the least to climate pollution bear the greatest impacts of climate change. As we reduce emissions and prepare our communities for the impacts of climate change, we need to place people first. This means designing and implementing policies for and with our communities of color, low-income neighborhoods, youth, older adults, women, people with impairments, persons facing homelessness, and people with limited English proficiency. This also means asking those who have contributed disproportionately to climate change to take action first. By placing equity at the heart of climate action, we can achieve fair outcomes for every Bostonian, so that they can thrive in a resilient and healthy city."
—former Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Climate Action Plan 2019 Update
Boston’s buildings account for approximately 71 percent of our community carbon emissions, and represent the greatest opportunity for emissions reductions. Decarbonizing Boston’s building sector depends on shifting to zero net carbon (ZNC) new construction by 2030, and retrofitting and electrifying at least 80 percent of our existing buildings over the next 30 years. The Climate Action Plan 2019 Update identifies seven key actions:
- Construct new municipal buildings to a zero net carbon standard
- Adopt a zero net carbon standard for city-funded affordable housing in Boston
- Strengthen green building zoning requirements to a zero net carbon standard
- Invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy
- Develop a carbon emissions performance standard to decarbonize existing large buildings
- Expand workforce development programs for building decarbonization
- Advocate for state building policies that align with carbon neutrality by 2050
The City is leading the way by adopting a zero net carbon standard for City buildings and City funded affordable housing.