April in Boston

Boston became the first city in the nation to implement green building zoning, requiring large private development to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standards at a “certifiable” level. The city is also the largest municipal purchaser of renewable energy and biodiesel in New England. Boston has been recognized as the “7th Most Sustainable City” in the nation by SustainLane, a national organization dedicated to promoting best practices in environmental sustainability.

In April, it was declared that Boston will strengthening its emissions reduction goals from 7% below 1990 levels by 2012, to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The city will do this through a variety of measures including the promotion of conservation and energy efficiency, utilizing renewable resources, and stepping up recycling.