Leveraging local will to accelerate our path towards net zero.
Municipalities have the will to act. But their hands are tied by the State. Our climate crisis can’t be addressed using baby steps and half-measures. Right now we have State mandated goals, but insufficient policies by which to achieve those goals. That’s where we come in.
ZeroCarbonMA is committed to creating impactful climate legislation, working in collaboration with over 90 municipalities throughout Massachusetts to implement policies and expand our collective reach to the State and National level.
The beliefs that drive our advocacy:
Change happens locally.
Local law expresses the will of communities to take the lead on climate action, without being beholden to fossil fuel interests. That’s where change starts. Get to know your State Representatives and Senators, talk to them, and ask them to support important climate legislation. Your elected officials are supposed to represent YOU - not dark money special interests trying to prevent climate action.
Electrification is the key.
Electricity enables us to power our buildings and cars with renewable energy from wind and solar. All-electric buildings are cheaper, cleaner, healthier, and make us more energy secure. And investing in energy at a local level does wonders for local economies. When we transition away from outdated fossil fuels, everyone benefits.
Our homes are on the front lines.
The #1 thing many of us can do is to make a plan to ensure that the appliances that we use every day are never again replaced by new ones that burn fossil fuels. Getting gas out of your kitchen alone reduces your children’s risk of asthma by 30%, and protects you from toxic gases like benzene. There are ever more resources to help you take these powerful steps toward a sustainable and healthier future.
We can’t leave anyone behind.
Our climate crisis disproportionately affects at-risk communities, which suffer at the expense of our wasteful policies. In order to share in the benefits of decarbonization, we have to make electrification accessible to everyone.
Meet our founders.
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Jesse Gray
Is the original author and co-petitioner of Brookline’s 2019 fossil fuel prohibition legislation, as well as subsequent building electrification legislation. He is a former chair of Town of Brookline’s Select Board appointed Zero Emissions Advisory Board. Jesse is also an accomplished neurogenomicist.
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Lisa Cunningham
Is a lifelong climate advocate and a main petitioner of Brookline’s 2019 fossil fuel prohibition legislation, as well as subsequent building electrification legislation. She is a co-founder of ZeroCarbonMA along with Jesse Gray, as well as a co-founder of the statewide non-profit Building Electrification Accelerator (BEA). Lisa holds a Masters of Architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and is a principal of her architecture firm with a focus on residential decarbonization.
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David Mendels
Is a former CEO and Senior Executive at multiple groundbreaking software companies, including Macromedia, Adobe and Brightcove. He currently serves on several boards and advises a number of start-ups with a focus on social and climate impact. David joined ZeroCarbonMA in Winter 2021.
Where we’ve been. And where we’re going.
2025
ZeroCarbonMA submits legislation to expand the 10 Community Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Program.
Sponsored by Senator Jahlen and Representative Barber, legislation is filed in January 2025 to expand the DOER Fossil Fuel Free demonstration program beyond 10 communities.
ZeroCarbonMA continues to lead the way on the adoption of the Opt-in Specialized Code by more communities with its coaching program and online resources.
The ZeroCarbonMA listserv, comprised of climate leaders and experts, grows to representation from over 90 communities in Massachusetts.
2024
ZCMA continues to lead the way on the adoption of the Specialized Code with a coaching program and resources, leading to the adoption of the Specialized Code by 48 communities representing 30% of the State’s population.
Of these communities, 44 will have implemented the Specialized Code on or before January 1, 2025.
ZCMA commissions report by Groundwork Data on the Future of Gas in MA
“Right now we are building with yesterday’s technology, and that spells bad news for everyone. We can construct buildings to the highest standards for health and resiliency in Massachusetts at cost parity today, while locking in huge savings for owners tomorrow,” said Lisa Cunningham, executive director of ZeroCarbonMA. “Massachusetts is on the brink of the largest housing boom in a generation. Massachusetts’s leaders can and should pass legislation this session to ensure we protect residents from substandard fossil fuel buildings that will cost thousands more in the long run.” Link to the report here.
ZCMA launches a Home Methane Study to measure methane levels in homes and determine how much methane is in the air in homes using gas in comparison to all-electric homes.
This study is being conducted by Gas Safety, Inc in collaboration with Dr. Nathan Phillips, who have both co-authored several peer-reviewed papers on natural gas leaks, including Home is Where the Pipeline Ends.
ZeroCarbonMA participates in a group of 10 Statewide organizations, convened by Green Energy Consumers, to recommend and support a “Clean Heat Platform” of Massachusetts climate legislation.
A letter to elected officials signed by over 70 Statewide climate organizations recommended bills or bill sections that would achieve specific goals and pave a realistic path toward building decarbonization by 2050. Link to the letter is here.
2023
ZCMA seeks to expand the 10 Community Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Program.
ZeroCarbonMA partners with Senator Comerford and Representative Sabadosa to file legislation to expand the DOER Fossil Fuel Free demonstration program beyond 10 communities.
Adoption of Opt-in Specialized Code becomes mainstream.
ZeroCarbonMA is leading the State in an effort to get every community to adopt the Specialized Code (see our resources tab for helpful information).
Brookline and Watertown were the first two communities to adopt the new Specialized Code on January 10, 2023. As of April 9, 2024, 34 communities* representing over 26% of the State’s population (and far more in terms of building activity) have voted to adopt the Specialized Code, with many more in the pipeline.
*Watertown, Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville, Newton, Lincoln, Lexington, Boston, Wellesley, Arlington, Truro, Sherborn, Wellfleet, Concord, Acton, Aquinnah, Stow, Maynard, Northampton, Worcester, Carlisle, Amherst, Chelmsford, Needham, Bedford, Belmont, Norwood, Wakefield, Weston, Melrose, Salem, Swampscott, West Tisbury
2022
New Stretch and Opt-in Specialized Codes published by DOER.
Massachusetts DOER publishes a new Specialized Opt-In Energy Code. This code is stronger than the Stretch Code (which is also updated and improved), and incentivizes building electrification, but continues to allow fossil fuels and is NOT net-zero - as it was mandated to be.
The draft regulations (and, as of May 2023, final regulations) for the 10 Community Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Program are also published, utilizing the Specialized Code and simply eliminating the pathways that allow fossil fuels.
Fossil Fuel Free program seeks to expand.
Somerville, Boston, and Salem - representing large Environmental Justice and at-risk populations - and Northampton, the first city in Western Mass, file Home Rule Petitions to join the Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Program. Because the program is limited to 10 spots, they are relegated to a waitlist.
Sweeping State Climate bill signed into law.
Governor Baker signs into law a new climate bill including the provision for 10 communities who have filed Home Rule Petitions to enter into a FFF Construction Demonstration Program.
Fossil Fuel Free bylaws authorized.
The MA Senate introduces An Act Driving Climate Policy Forward to give ten municipalities, including those that have passed Home Rule Petitions, the authority to implement their fossil fuel free bylaws. At the time this is introduced, five communities have passed Home Rule Petitions. By the time the bill is signed into law, ten communities have passed Home Rule Petitions.*
*Arlington, Lexington, Brookline, Acton, Concord, Cambridge, Lincoln, Newton, West Tisbury, Aquinnah.
ZeroCarbonMA works with Senator Cindy Friedman to submit an amendment increasing the number of participants from 10 to many more. (The Act Driving Climate Policy Forward passed without the amendment.)
ZeroCarbonMA incorporates.
ZeroCarbonMA incorporates as a non-profit to amplify our reach.
Attorney General rules against Brookline.
The Municipal Law Unit of the Attorney General’s office rules against Brookline’s two Fossil Fuel Free Zoning bylaws.
2020
Fossil fuel free bylaws spread across Commonwealth.
Brookline and Arlington pass Home Rule Petitions, asking the State Legislature to grant them the authority to implement their fossil fuel free bylaws, quickly followed by Lexington, Acton, and Concord, and most recently, Cambridge and Newton. Others are poised to do the same.
Attorney General resists electrification bylaws.
The Attorney General disallows our 2019 bylaw.
Building Electrification Accelerator launches with RMI and local partners.
Working with local partners Cora Weissboard, Anne Wright, and Lisa Cunningham, a 17 town and city Building Electrification Accelerator (MA BEA) is launched in partnership with RMI with the goal of replicating Brookline’s legislation. These towns and cities pursue a legal strategy of passing “gas ban” Home Rule Petitions and Zoning bylaws to prohibit new fossil fuel infrastructure in new and major construction.
2019
Brookline passes ambitious electrification bylaw.
We saw the potential, and passed an even more ambitious bylaw in Brookline, MA (Warrant Article 21). This was the first fossil fuel free construction bylaw outside of California, the first in a cold weather climate, and the first to include major renovations as well as new construction.
Berkeley bans fossil fuel in new construction.
Berkeley CA passed the first municipal ban on fossil fuels in new construction, leading to a wave of similar legislation throughout California.
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Looking for recent press?
We’ve compiled articles about ZeroCarbonMA, as well as resources about our legislative history.
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Looking to get in touch?
If you’re a journalist, a fellow activist, or looking to provide support, we’d love to hear from you.