The Boston City Council recently approved a mandate for major emissions cuts for large buildings.
The legislation is one of only a few of its kind in the country and will apply to buildings that are 20,000 sf or larger. That amounts to about 4% of the buildings in the city.
About 2,200 buildings that are 35,000 sf or larger will have to start meeting emissions caps in 2025. Another 1,300 buildings —20,000 sf or larger—must start meeting emissions caps by 2030. The ordinance aims to cut all those buildings’ emissions in half by the end of the decade and completely by 2050. A review board can receive input from financial experts and energy providers for recommendations on changes to the rules and on hardship compliance plans.
Acting Mayor Kim Janey is expected to soon sign the ordinance into law. It was modeled on similar measures in New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.
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