Click here to view the draft Climate Action and Sustainability Plan and share feedback.
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The Town of Andover has announced the release of a preliminary draft of the Town’s first Climate Action and Sustainability Plan (CAP). The comprehensive, 128-page document will serve as a roadmap for taking climate action and building resilience while aligning with regional and statewide efforts.
The CAP outlines a series of 37 recommended actions to advance the Town’s effort to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in alignment with goals adopted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and to reach carbon reduction benchmarks in 2030 and 2040.
Residents are encouraged to view the document and provide feedback online at andoverma.gov/CAP. Public comments on the document will be accepted until August 1.
The development of the CAP was led by the Town of Andover’s Director of Sustainability Joyce Losick-Yang with the support of an eight-members steering committee comprised of members of the resident volunteers with expertise in sustainability, and a team of Weston & Sampson consultants.
The process to develop the Plan was initiated in July 2021, and entailed extensive public input and engagement with stakeholders. The planning process had nearly 1,000 touchpoints with community and municipal stakeholders, amassed through four well-attended community forums and a survey conducted earlier this year.
The Plan is organized into six priority sectors that relate either to how Andover emits carbon, or solutions for dealing with greenhouse gases that are already in the atmosphere: buildings, energy, mobility, natural resources, public health and safety, and waste.
The report is further broken down into strategies for meeting targets in each sector, and specific actions to implement those strategies within the community. Each of the 37 actions recommended in the report have a two-page implementation plan that outlines ease of implementation, cost, potential funding sources, impact, and other factors.
Key strategies highlighted in the Plan include encouraging the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and promoting alternative forms of transportation, implementing and promoting participation in the municipal energy aggregation program, and adopting a specialized building code for the construction of new homes.
“This landmark document represents a collective effort of our community and lays out a clear roadmap towards a more resilient and sustainable future,” said Director of Sustainability Joyce Losick-Yang. “As we navigate the challenges of climate change, the CAP's 37 recommended actions will guide us in achieving our ambitious goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Together with our residents, businesses, and other partners, we are embarking on a journey that will not only protect our environment but also foster a healthier community.”
A final version of the draft of the Plan is expected to be published in August.