The mission of the Sustainability Office is to pursue and promote actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prioritize climate-resilient infrastructure and spaces, enhance nature-based solutions, and advance the community towards a clean and equitable energy future. The office was created in response to the Town Meeting resolution declaring a “Climate Emergency: A Better Future Starting Now,” passed on September 8th, 2020, with an overwhelming margin of support.

The office is tasked with the development of a comprehensive set of sustainability goals and actions, including, but not limited to, the management of the Green Communities grant application and reporting process for municipal projects, working with the Department of Public Works to implement solid waste/composting and recycling programs, and publishing an annual report on progress toward sustainability goals.