The region would take advantage of its unique academic and technical resources to be a leader in the effort against global warming. MetroFuture would reduce greenhouse gas emissions 33% by the year 2030. This is equivalent to a 20% reduction from 1990 – 2020, another 30-year planning period commonly used by others.

Through a combination of reduced demand and increased reliance on renewable and low-carbon fuels, MetroFuture would achieve more than the 2004 Massachusetts Climate Protection Plan (10% reduction from 1990 – 2020) and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) which would cut emissions from electrical generation by 10% from 1990 to 2018. The biggest reductions would accrue from the transportation and electric power sectors, which together comprise nearly ¾ of total emissions. A 30 – 40% reduction in emissions from both of these sectors would generate 25% reduction in overall emissions. The remainder of the reduction would be accomplished through conservation and fuel switching in the residential,
commercial, and industrial sectors.

Municipalities would take a leading role in emissions reduction through initiatives such as the Cities for Climate Protection program of the International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI.) This program currently includes 14 MAPC region communities as members and offers a well established and globally successful template for any community committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving taxpayers’ money.

Currently, the transportation and electric power generation sectors are the two largest emitters of CO2 in Massachusetts at 40% and 29% respectively, in 2005. Total Massachusetts GHG emissions increased by about 1.1% from 1990-2005.   Commercial, industrial, residential, and electric power sectors all decreased over that period. The increase was driven by a large increase in transportation-related emissions, which rose 19% from 1990 to 2005, and 7% from 2000 - 2005. Emissions from electricity generation have declined by 5% overall from 1990 – 2000, but not consistently: emissions declined by 14% during the 1990s, but then increased 10% from 2000 – 2005.

Objectives:

• Regional CO2 emissions related to electrical generation and commercial, industrial, residential, and transportation uses will be 33% below 2000 emissions.
• Regional transportation-related emissions will be 40% below 2000 emissions.
• Emissions resulting from the region’s electric power demand will be 40% below 2000 emissions.
• 100% of municipalities will participate in the •Climate Protection Campaign or equivalent.