Since 2005, the City of Boston has measured its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions using data provided by Boston utilities. Approximately 40 percent of the reduction in Boston’s GHG emissions comes from the generation of cleaner electricity. Cap and trade initiatives under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), are expected to continue making Boston’s power supply cleaner and less carbon intensive.

Boston’s energy programs have been successful in reducing GHG emissions while fostering local business creation, job growth, and connecting residents with energy saving programs. In order to meet our GHG reduction goals in 2020 and 2050 further action to increase energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions is required from businesses, institutions, and Boston residents.

OUR PROGRAMS

Renew Boston

Renew Boston is a partnership between the City, energy utilities, and service providers. Renew is the go-to resource for residents interested in saving money, energy and improving the air-quality in your home.

BERDO

The Building Energy and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) requires Boston’s large- and medium-sized buildings to report their annual energy and water use. View the report on first-year analysis and findings, identifying energy use patterns across different building types and sectors.

Boston Community Energy Study

The Boston Community Energy Study explores the potential for local energy generation, district energy, and microgrids. The Study is a collaboration between The Mayor’s Office of Environment Energy and Open Spaces, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), MIT Sustainable Design Lab, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory.

Carbon Cup

The Mayor’s Carbon Cup began in April 2014, and recognizes the emissions reduction commitments of large organizations. Carbon Cup Pledges are a trailblazing group of city, state, and national leaders that will demonstrate the depth of possible GHG cuts to others in their respective sectors.

Boston Buying Power

Boston Buying Power assists Boston’s businesses and non-profit organizations in the procurement of electricity and natural gas through the creation of a citywide energy-buying group.

Boston Home Center

The Boston Home Center is the City’s one-stop shop for homebuyers and homeowners. They help eligible homeowners cover the costs of lead removal, weatherization, energy conservation improvements, and basement waterproofing.

Renew Boston for Businesses

Renew Boston for Businesses brings valuable energy efficiency services and incentives to assist businesses in making cost-effective energy efficiency investments. Program benefits include a no-cost energy evaluation, and financial incentives that cover a substantial portion of the installed cost of recommended upgrades.

Renew Boston Trust

Renew Boston Trust is an effort to pursue energy efficiency and resiliency in our building portfolios by using a proven self-funded financing model. This program is in its early stages, but we will post updates to this site as they become available.

Senior Saves

The Boston Home Center works with several neighborhood agencies to offer home repair loans for older adults. Senior Saves offers zero percent, interest-deferred loans. These loans can be used to replace old and inefficient home heating and cooling equipment.

E+ Green Building Program

Boston’s Environment, Equity, Energy Positive (E+) Green Building Program seeks to advance community sustainability, industry practices, and public awareness of energy efficient green buildings. E+ Green Building Program constructs high performance green building prototypes that can serve as models for future practice. The E+ Green Building Program is an initiative of the City of Boston and a partnership of the Department of Neighborhood Development, the Office of Environment, Energy and Open Space, and the Boston Redevelopment Authority. E+ is an ongoing initiative at the BPDA, and they invite you to check back in at the program’s website to learn about current projects, future RFPs, exhibits, lectures, and news.