Businesses and the sustainability advocacy organization, Ceres, applauded the Massachusetts House of Representatives today for passing climate legislation that would help the Commonwealth ratchet up its efforts to achieve its ambitious net-zero emissions goal by 2050. The bill includes a number of other sustainability provisions that would help to drive the state’s economy towards 100% clean energy and take into account equity issues in future state planning.
The Act to Create a 2050 Roadmap to a Clean and Thriving Commonwealth (The 2050 Roadmap Bill - H.4912) codifies net-zero goals for the state, thereby strengthening the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), by raising the 2050 emissions reduction target from 80% below 1990 levels to 85% and requiring that all remaining emissions be offset. The bill sets interim targets of at least 50% by 2030 and 75% by 2040 to ensure the state reaches its 2050 goal.
“Passage of the 2050 Roadmap Bill is an important step in ensuring Massachusetts continues to advance its climate goals, while addressing inequities in communities across the state,” said Alli Gold Roberts, director of state policy at Ceres. “We hope it will spur the legislature to adopt more policies to decarbonize the transportation and building sectors, and further accelerate the transition to a carbon free electricity sector.”
The legislative win comes after several years of advocacy from Ceres and its state and business partners, and as efforts to build back better from COVID-19 have become the focus for the last several months.
In May, Ceres CEO and President Mindy Lubber sent a letter to Gov. Charlie Baker, R-Mass. to make the case for the 2050 Roadmap Bill and the prioritization of new climate-smart recovery efforts that would bring the state closer to its emissions goal, while producing strong job growth and a more equitable, just and sustainable economy. And in 2019, Ceres helped organize a letter of support from more than 17 companies and investors including Autodesk, Bemis, Biogen, DSM, Eastern Bank, JLL, Novartis, Schneider Electric, Trillium Asset Management and others with significant operations in the Commonwealth.
“Private sector leaders have recognized the financial benefits possible from reducing emissions and are ready to partner with states on a transition to a modern, sustainable economy,” Jeff Morris of Schneider Electric North America, said. “As a company which has committed to net zero emissions, we support efforts by the legislature to develop a Roadmap to net-zero emissions by 2050 for the entire Commonwealth.”
Furthermore, following a multi-year effort from environmental justice advocates, and with the encouragement of Ceres and businesses, the bill also included an amendment to address equity issues in future state planning.
Specifically, it codifies a definition of environmental justice communities in state law that includes race, income, and english language proficiency, enhances the review process for proposed projects in environmental justice communities to account for the cumulative impact of all harmful emissions without limiting consideration to those from the proposed project, and ensures local stakeholders have access to the information they need to meaningful participate in public processes.
The Ceres BICEP Network – a network of 58 major employers and large electricity customers across the U.S. including many with significant operations and facilities in Massachusetts – sent a letter urging lawmakers to support this amendment.
“A strong economic recovery in the Commonwealth will require a Roadmap for a just transition to net-zero, one which ensures Massachusetts’ environmental justice communities are not disproportionately burdened by harmful emissions,” Hugh Welsh, President of DSM North America, said. “DSM believes that robust environmental policy is essential to public health and building a sustainable, thriving economy. ”
“Building a sustainable economy means not only setting essential net-zero goals, but also engaging all of our communities in planning to achieve those goals. Environmental justice communities have for too long borne the brunt of pollution and have not been included in debates on reducing emissions,” Alyssa Caddle, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility at Bemis Associates, said. “At Bemis, we believe environmental stewardship and social responsibility are core to our business, and understand that they are inextricably linked. And, in order to build back better, we must ensure everyone has a seat at the table.”
The vote, which won 142-17, took place on the final day of the formal 2019-2020 Massachusetts legislative session. The 2050 Roadmap Bill now heads to House and Senate conference committees for further negotiation.
Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization working with the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.