Hingham Final Climate Action Plan Presented

​By Carol Meyer

The Hingham Climate Action Planning Committee recently presented an overview of its 145-page Climate Action Plan -- the culmination of three years of hard work.

"This is an exciting moment for us," Chair Brad Moyer told the Select Board. "Hingham is a leader in this area on the South Shore. Five years ago, I wouldn't have anticipated that."

He explained the mission of the CAPC and its successor created by Town Meeting -- the Climate Action Commission. The CAPC's charge was to evaluate a wide range of carbon emission reduction strategies and to propose measures to achieve “net zero” carbon emissions by the year 2040 or another feasible target date.

The Climate Action Commission's role is to support, oversee, and report on the progress of the implementation of the town's Climate Action Plan.

Moyer also explained that the plan doesn't obligate anyone to anything, mandate budget expenditures, or supplant normal town and approval processes.

"It's a call to action, making recommendations and asking residents, businesses and non-profits, and town government to consider actions to reduce carbon emissions," he said.

"The plan is "deep, but accessible -- it's digestible." Select Board Chair Liz Klein said she's confident the plan will be implemented and that "it will not sit on a shelf."