At ZeroCarbonMA, we are leveraging local will to accelerate our path towards net zero.
Municipalities have the will to act. But their hands are tied by the State. That’s where we come in.
Our climate crisis can’t be addressed using baby steps and half-measures. Right now we have State mandated goals, but insufficient policies by which to achieve those goals. Worse, many policies continue to send us in the opposite direction. Like continuing to install polluting and toxic gas infrastructure.
ZeroCarbonMA is committed to creating impactful climate legislation, working in collaboration with over 85 municipalities throughout Massachusetts to implement policies and expand our collective reach to the State and National level.
As our movement builds, we put pressure to enact broader versions of the policies we’ve created. That’s how we mobilize real change.
The beliefs that drive our advocacy.
Change happens locally.
Local law expresses the will of communities to take the lead on climate action, without being beholden to fossil fuel interests. That’s where change starts.
See our Resources page to learn how you can affect change in your community. Your elected officials are supposed to represent YOU - not dark money special interests trying to prevent climate action. Get to know them, talk to them, and make sure they know that your vote counts. Contact us and join the ZCMA community.
We can’t leave anyone behind.
Our climate crisis disproportionately affects at-risk communities, which suffer at the expense of our wasteful policies. In order to share in the benefits of decarbonization, we have to make electrification accessible to everyone.
Electrification is the key.
Electricity enables us to power our buildings and cars with renewable energy from wind and solar. All-electric buildings are cheaper, cleaner, healthier, and make us more energy secure. And investing in energy at a local level does wonders for local economies. When we transition away from outdated fossil fuels, everyone benefits.
Our homes are on the front lines.
The #1 thing many of us can do is to make a plan to ensure that the appliances that we use every day are never again replaced by new ones that burn fossil fuels. Getting gas out of your kitchen alone reduces your children’s risk of asthma by 30%, and protects you from toxic gases like benzene. There are ever more resources to help you take these powerful steps toward a sustainable and healthier future. See Resources for more information.
Meet our founders.
-
Jesse Gray
Is the original author and co-petitioner of Brookline’s 2019 fossil fuel prohibition legislation, as well as subsequent building electrification legislation. He is the founding chair of Town of Brookline’s Select Board appointed Zero Emissions Advisory Board. Jesse is also an accomplished neurogenomicist.
-
Lisa Cunningham
Is a lifelong climate advocate and a main petitioner of Brookline’s 2019 fossil fuel prohibition legislation, as well as subsequent building electrification legislation. She is a co-founder of ZeroCarbonMA along with Jesse Gray, as well as a co-founder of the statewide non-profit Building Electrification Accelerator (BEA). Lisa holds a Masters of Architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and is a principal of her architecture firm with a focus on residential decarbonization.
-
David Mendels
Is a former CEO and Senior Executive at multiple groundbreaking software companies, including Macromedia, Adobe and Brightcove. He currently serves on several boards and advises a number of start-ups with a focus on social and climate impact. David joined ZeroCarbonMA in Winter 2021.
-
Wendy Stahl
Is the Chair of the Town of Brookline’s Select Board appointed Zero Emissions Advisory Board. Wendy completed her residency in Psychiatry at UCLA in 2016 and moved to Brookline in 2020 to raise her family. Wendy became a partner in ZeroCarbonMA in Spring 2022.
Where we’ve been. And where we’re going.
2023
ZeroCarbonMA partners with Senator Comerford and Representative Sabadosa to file legislation to expand the DOER Fossil Fuel Free demonstration program beyond 10 communities.
ZeroCarbonMA is leading the State in an effort to get every community to adopt the Specialized Code (see our resources tab for helpful information).
Brookline and Watertown were the first two communities to adopt the new Specialized Code on January 10, 2023. As of April 9, 2024, 34 communities* representing over 26% of the State’s population (and far more in terms of building activity) have voted to adopt the Specialized Code, with many more in the pipeline.
*Watertown, Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville, Newton, Lincoln, Lexington, Boston, Wellesley, Arlington, Truro, Sherborn, Wellfleet, Concord, Acton, Aquinnah, Stow, Maynard, Northampton, Worcester, Carlisle, Amherst, Chelmsford, Needham, Bedford, Belmont, Norwood, Wakefield, Weston, Melrose, Salem, Swampscott, West Tisbury
2022
December, 2022
Massachusetts DOER publishes a new Specialized Opt-In Energy Code. This code is stronger than the Stretch Code (which is also updated and improved), and incentivizes building electrification, but continues to allow fossil fuels and is NOT net-zero - as it was mandated to be.
The draft regulations (and, as of May 2023, final regulations) for the 10 Community Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Program are also published, utilizing the Specialized Code and simply eliminating the pathways that allow fossil fuels.
August, 2022
Somerville, Boston, and Salem - representing large Environmental Justice and at-risk populations - and Northampton, the first city in Western Mass, file Home Rule Petitions to join the Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Program. Because the program is limited to 10 spots, they are relegated to a waitlist.
August, 2022
Governor Baker signs into law a new climate bill including the provision for 10 communities who have filed Home Rule Petitions to enter into a FFF Construction Demonstration Program.
April, 2022
The MA Senate introduces An Act Driving Climate Policy Forward to give ten municipalities, including those that have passed Home Rule Petitions, the authority to implement their FFF bylaws. At the time this is introduced, 5 communities have passed Home Rule Petitions. By the time the bill is signed into law, 10 communities have passed Home Rule Petitions.*
*Arlington, Lexington, Brookline, Acton, Concord, Cambridge, Lincoln, Newton, West Tisbury, Aquinnah.
ZeroCarbonMA works with Senator Cindy Friedman to submit an amendment increasing the number of participants from 10 to many more. (The Act Driving Climate Policy Forward passed without the amendment.)
March, 2022
ZeroCarbonMA incorporates as a non-profit to amplify our reach.
February, 2022
The Municipal Law Unit of the Attorney General’s office rules against Brookline’s two Fossil Fuel Free Zoning bylaws.
2020
November, 2020
Brookline and Arlington pass Home Rule Petitions, asking the State Legislature to grant them the authority to implement their fossil fuel free bylaws, quickly followed by Lexington, Acton, and Concord, and most recently, Cambridge and Newton. Others are poised to do the same.
July, 2020
The Attorney General disallows our 2019 bylaw.
June, 2020
Working with local partners Cora Weissboard and Anne Wright, Lisa Cunningham launches a 17 town and city Building Electrification Accelerator (MA BEA) in partnership with RMI to replicate Brookline’s legislation. These towns and cities pursue a legal strategy of passing “gas ban” Home Rule Petitions and Zoning bylaws to prohibit fossil fuel infrastructure.
2019
November, 2019
We saw the potential, and passed an even more ambitious bylaw in Brookline, MA (Warrant Article 21). This was the first fossil fuel free construction requirement outside of CA, the first in a cold weather climate, and the first to include substantial renovations as well as new construction.
July, 2019
Berkeley CA passed the first municipal ban on fossil fuels in new construction, leading to a wave of similar legislation throughout California.
-
Looking for press coverage?
We’ve compiled articles about ZeroCarbonMA, as well as resources about our legislative history.
-
Looking to get in touch?
If you’re a journalist, a fellow activist, or looking to provide support, we’d love to hear from you.