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Preservation Has a Place in Boston's Climate Future

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~ Boston, MA - The city of Boston has released a new Climate Action Plan, led by Chief Climate Officer Brian Swett and the Environment, Energy, and Open Space Cabinet. The plan focuses on reducing pollution, improving resilience, and guiding the city's growth.

One of the key targets set by the plan is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with specific goals for 2030. To reach this goal, the plan prioritizes cutting emissions from buildings - which are currently the largest source of carbon production in the city. This will be achieved through expanding clean energy options, electrification, and investing in climate-ready infrastructure.

Equity is also a central focus of the plan, ensuring that all neighborhoods benefit from these efforts. "Climate action must include existing buildings," says Chief Climate Officer Brian Swett. In a city where over 75% of buildings are over 50 years old, reusing and upgrading them will play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions.

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For preservationists, this message is clear: historic buildings must be included in climate action plans. The City of Boston recognizes this and for the first time, identifies historic building rehabilitation as a core climate strategy. This includes promoting adaptive reuse approaches such as converting underutilized offices to housing and reducing waste while supporting evolving needs.

To support this effort, the City will be utilizing key tools such as State and Federal Historic Tax Credit programs which support adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of historic buildings. The City will also advocate for strengthening these programs by expanding eligibility and increasing caps. Additionally, efforts will be made to better understand how historic properties can pursue decarbonization and energy efficiency improvements.

To further advance this work, the plan establishes a Historic Properties Decarbonization Task Force. This group will bring together preservation experts, decarbonization professionals, municipal staff, and community stakeholders to identify best practices and address regulatory and financial barriers. Their focus will be on finding ways to reduce emissions while preserving the cultural, architectural, and community value of historic properties.

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The expected outcomes of this task force include guidance for energy-efficient retrofits that maintain historic character, as well as strategies to make improvements such as insulation, electrification, and high-performance windows more practical and achievable. The emphasis is clear: climate action should strengthen, not compromise, the integrity and usability of historic properties.

This plan also aligns with citywide priorities such as promoting healthier and more efficient homes, advancing housing affordability, and supporting a healthier city for all residents. "Addressing older buildings directly is essential," says Katherine Kottaridis, Director of the Office of Historic Preservation. "The Plan makes it clear that preservation is not a barrier but part of the solution."

In conclusion, Boston's Climate Action Plan recognizes the importance of including existing buildings in their efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. By prioritizing cutting emissions from buildings and promoting adaptive reuse approaches for historic properties, the City is taking a crucial step towards a low-carbon future.

Filed Under: Government, City
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