Boston has emerged as the only city in the United States to clinch the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Local Leaders Climate Award at the COP30 Local Leaders Forum, as reported by the City of Boston. Recognized in the Energy Transition and Smarter Buildings category, the award highlights the city's efforts in combating climate change courtesy of initiatives such as the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) and the related Equitable Emissions Investment Fund, under the guidance of Mayor Michelle Wu.
In detailing the local progress, Mayor Wu conveyed, "Around the globe and here in Boston, the threat of climate change is clear and accelerating. With the implementation of our BERDO ordinance and Equitable Emissions Investment Fund, we are working to make Boston as resilient as possible," as stated by the City of Boston. BERDO requires large buildings to report their annual energy and water usage and, starting in 2025, comply with emissions limits based on building usage with the ultimate goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, while the Equitable Emissions Investment Fund aids Environmental Justice communities and those impacted by air pollution through funding decarbonization projects.
The Equitable Emissions Investment Fund, initially seeded with $3.5 million from the city's sources, receives additional support through BERDO Alternative Compliance Payments, funding decarbonization projects, including those led by Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation and Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, enhancing Boston's carbon neutrality goals. As reported by the City of Boston, Brian Swett, Boston's Chief Climate Officer, emphasized the critical nature of BERDO, noting, "With the 5% of buildings in Boston regulated by BERDO accounting for roughly 40% of the City’s emissions, this ordinance and program is absolutely critical to Boston’s journey to net zero emissions."
At the award ceremony, Hannah Payne, Boston's Director of Carbon Neutrality, expressed the city's sense of honor and commitment in accepting the award on behalf of Boston in Rio de Janeiro. She noted that the city’s efforts to help building owners reduce fossil fuel use are directly improving the public health of residents. The recognition highlights Boston’s willingness to both share and adopt best practices in municipal climate leadership, with projects from the Local Leaders Climate Awards representing key initiatives that promote a more sustainable future and advance both national and international climate action.
