Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions  -  October 4, 2021

Boston Passes Zero-Emission Building Ordinance

The Boston City Council unanimously approved Sept. 23 an ordinance requiring all buildings larger than 20,000 square feet to be zero-emission by 2050.

AP News reported that this ordinance will be applicable to approximately 3,500 commercial and residential buildings in Boston, accounting for 4% of city structures and 60% of Boston’s building emissions.

The ordinance also establishes benchmark emissions caps for 13 sectors and mandates a fine for up to $1,000 a day for buildings in violation of these targets.

“This is the most transformative thing we have done for climate in Boston’s 400-year history,” City Councilor Matt O’Malley told the publication. “It’s aggressive, but achievable, and it allows for five-year increments to check on our progress. This is a big win for the city.”

The ordinance was modeled on measures taken up in New York, St. Louis and Washington, D.C., and both the mayoral finalists for the city expressed their support for the initiative.

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