The City of Cambridge has stepped up its game in the fight against climate change by appointing its first Chief Climate Officer. According to a recent announcement, Julie Wormser will take on this vital role beginning October 1, 2024, adding to the city's robust efforts to advance climate resilience and sustainability. With her extensive background in climate resilience and policy advocacy, Wormser will be reporting directly to Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang.
Forging her path through the Resilient Mystic Collaborative (RMC), which now includes 20 municipalities, Wormser, as the co-founder, has been elemental in raising nearly $140 million for climate projects centering equity and community engagement. Having lived her adult life in Cambridge, she reflects a deep commitment to the community, which she's demonstrated through her previous tenure as the Senior Policy Advisor to the Mystic River Watershed Association.
Wormser's expertise in climate preparedness isn't new to the region. Her work as the Executive Director of The Boston Harbor Association saw her actively campaign for coastal flooding awareness and integration of climate preparedness into Boston’s urban planning. Innovative projects such as the "Designing With Water" and "Preparing for the Rising Tide" publications, which Wormser co-authored, helped mold Boston's approach to addressing sea-level rise and coastal flooding risks.
The City Manager expressed his enthusiasm for Wormser’s appointment, indicating her track record of establishing clear visions and executing complex projects. "We are thrilled to welcome Julie as our first-ever Chief Climate Officer," Huang told the City of Cambridge's news portal. "Julie’s proven track record of setting clear and bold visions, executing complex projects, and bringing stakeholders together will be invaluable to our efforts."
Cambridge has already made significant strides in its climate action plan. Following the deployment of the Net Zero Action Plan in 2015, it charted a course towards prioritized climate initiatives. In 2023, Cambridge marked a milestone with its amended Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance, setting a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions standard by 2035 for large, non-residential buildings. The city recently implemented a new Fossil Fuel Free regulation earlier this year, which significantly restricts fossil fuel use in new builds and major renovations.
Wormser herself expressed excitement about the opportunities ahead, saying, "I am honored to join Cambridge as the City’s first Chief Climate Officer," in a statement to the City of Cambridge. "Having lived in Cambridge for most of my adult life, I am deeply committed to the community and its resilience. I am excited to work alongside the dedicated team in furthering the City's climate goals and making a positive impact on the lives of its residents."
Holding a B.A. in Biology from Swarthmore College and an M.P.A. from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, Wormser's engagement in climate issues runs both deep and long-standing. Her new role is expected to provide pivotal direction as Cambridge navigates the evolving challenges of climate change.
