WAYLAND — The Town of Wayland is pleased to announce that it will implement a Climate Action Mobilization Plan (CAMP) following approval from the Select Board.
On June 27, the Select Board voted unanimously to implement the CAMP, which was prepared by the Town’s Energy and Climate Committee. The CAMP was created in response to Wayland’s Climate Emergency Resolution, which passed overwhelmingly at the 2021 Annual Town Meeting.
The goal of the CAMP is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Town buildings, residences and businesses by a minimum of 50% by 2030. The CAMP includes adaption, resilience and nature-based actions.
The majority of Wayland’s emissions come from residential homes and transportation sources. As such, the CAMP includes actions for the Town to reduce emissions from municipal operations, as well as actions for residents to mitigate their environmental impact.
“We are cognizant of the importance of addressing climate change in Wayland,” said Select Board Chair Cherry Karlson. “We appreciate the tremendous efforts of the Energy and Climate Committee and look forward to implementing the Plan collectively with our Town staff, residents, and local businesses all working together.”
The CAMP is the result of several months of intensive effort by the Energy and Climate Committee, which included community focus groups, a survey of Wayland residents, meetings with Town Department heads, a review of plans from other towns, and advice from industry experts.
“The CAMP is comprehensive, it is detailed and it was developed collaboratively,” said Select Board member Adam Gutbezahl.
Wayland’s FY2023 budget includes funding to hire a full-time Sustainability Manager, who will be charged with implementing the CAMP.
“We understand the challenging task ahead of us, but we are committed to providing the resources and leadership necessary to make this happen. It’s the right thing to do for the planet and the taxpayer,” Acting Town Manager Stephen Crane said. “In the coming months, under the direction of the Sustainability Manager, and with advice from the Energy and Climate Committee, we will develop an implementation plan to chart the path forward to achieving our 2030 goals.”
The Town is also in the process of establishing a Community Electricity Choice program, which once approved by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Resources and the Department of Public Utilities, will allow Town residents and businesses to choose the amount of renewable energy they receive in their electric supply.
“This is only the beginning. The CAMP builds on the terrific work already underway in Wayland including Community Electricity Choice, municipal building upgrades, solar panels at Loker, anti-idling signage, and outreach to the community on residential energy audits,” Energy and Climate Committee Co-Chair Ellen Tohn said.
To view Wayland’s Climate Emergency Resolution, please visit the Town of Wayland’s 2021 Town Meeting Warrant (Article 19) here.
To view the CAMP, please click here.