Climate Action Plan/Net Zero Emissions Roadmap (Massachusetts Port Authority, Massachusetts)

Technical Evaluation
Written By

Massport selected VHB, with GBB as a sub-consultant focused on waste management, to prepare an Authority-wide Climate Action Plan/Net Zero Emissions (CAP/NZE) Roadmap with recommendations for cost-effectively reaching environmental goals that align with four possible strategies to be evaluated:

  • Alignment with the Commonwealth's Roadmap of 50% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels by 2030, 85% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels by 2050, and net zero emissions by 2050.
  • 50% emissions reduction by 2031 (baseline year to be determined).
  • 75% reduction in emissions by 2031 (baseline year to be determined) and net zero emissions by 2050.
  • Any other scenario that supports Massport’s objectives and realistically achieves net zero emissions by or before 2050.

The CAP/NZE Roadmap addressed key focus areas (Waste Management; Energy Planning, including energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and energy storage technologies; Transportation; and Natural Resources and Water Stewardship) and identified goals, targets, key performance indicators, and strategies for each focus area. Key tasks performed by GBB, as the Waste Management lead included:

  • Reviewing and synthesizing Massport’s data/information
  • Providing recommendations to close identified gaps relating to waste management
  • Reviewing industry best practices, researching previous studies from comparable entities, and identifying the advantages, challenges, and lessons learned from those projects
  • Participate in a meeting with Massport subject matter experts on waste management to understand operations and activities to be considered as part of the waste management strategy
  • Reviewing and updating Candidate Emission Reduction Strategies
  • Identifying a short list of waste management strategies for further evaluation
  • Preparing a Technical Memorandum summarizing waste management technical studies conducted and supporting data to facilitate decision-making on strategies
  • Identify aspirational goals for waste reduction supported by 3-5 objectives
  • Recommending key performance indicators for a waste reduction target
  • Provide suggestions regarding waste management, sustainable procurement, and materials management
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