Last updated: 4/23/24

BERDO Review Board

The Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) Review Board works to ensure the equitable implementation of BERDO, the City's initiative to get large buildings to net zero emissions by 2050.

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ATTENTION: The City is currently accepting public feedback on the Equitable Emissions Investment Fund until 5pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The draft application outline, project evaluation form, and survey can be found in this folder.

what is berdo?

Public hearing dates
Have questions? Contact us:
Email us
617-635-1732
1 City Hall Square, Room 709

Boston, MA 02201

About the Review Board

The BERDO Review Board is a nine-member independent board of volunteers. They oversee the implementation of BERDO and work to ensure environmental justice communities benefit from BERDO decarbonization efforts. Learn more about the Ordinance on the BERDO website.

Of the nine members who comprise the board:

Six must be nominated by a community-based organization,
Two are openly nominated, including self-nomination, and
One is reserved for the Chair of the Boston City Council's Environmental Justice, Resiliency, and Parks Committee, or their designee.

The Review Board has authority to:

Review, accept, or deny applications for flexibility measures.
Grant funding decisions for the Equitable Emissions Investment Fund.
Issue notice of violations subject to penalties.
Recommend updates to BERDO regulations and policies.

Application Forms

FLEXIBILITY MEASURES

BERDO offers building owners the opportunity to apply for different flexibility measures, including Building Portfolios, Individual Compliance Schedules, and Hardship Compliance Plans. All flexibility measures must be approved by the BERDO Review Board. To learn more about each flexibility measure, please check out the Flexibility Measures Quick Guide. PDF sample application forms are available here for review.

Equitable Emissions Investment Fund - accepting public feedback

The Equitable Emissions Investment Fund is a new fund created under BERDO. Money from the Fund can be used for the support, implementation, and administration of local building carbon abatement projects that benefit the City of Boston's emissions reduction goals and prioritize Environmental Justice populations. The Review Board is currently accepting public feedback on the Fund until 5pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The Review Board is sharing the draft application outline and project evaluation form, and gathering information on potential projects and potential applicants via a survey. These resources can be found in this folder.

flexibility measures Apps Page

Building Portfolios and Individual Compliance Schedules

To apply for a Building Portfolio and/or Individual Compliance Schedule, visit the BERDO Application Page. Application deadline is September 1 to be in effect the following calendar year.

Hardship compliance plan app

Hardship Compliance Plans

To apply for a Hardship Compliance Plan, please review the Hardship Compliance Plan applications and email BerdoReviewBoard@boston.gov. Application deadline for long-term Hardship is July 1 to be reflected in 2025. Application deadline for short-term Hardship is October 1.

the fund: provide feedback

Equitable Emissions Investment Fund

The City is accepting public feedback until 5pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The draft application outline and project evaluation form can be found in this folder.

DEADLINES FOR FLEXIBILITY MEASURE APPLICATIONS

July 1, 2024*	Long-term Hardship Compliance Plan application deadline.
September 1, 2024	Building Portfolio application deadline. Individual Compliance Schedule application deadline.
October 1, 2024	Short-term Hardship Compliance Plan application deadline.

*After July 1, 2024, long-term Hardship Compliance Plan applications are due April 1 to be in effect the following year.

Click here for all Flexibility Measures application timelines.

BERDO Resources

Resources

Working Groups

Commercial real estate

The Commercial Real Estate Working Group meets to discuss topics and potential issues that arise for the commercial real estate industry in relation to the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance.

Click here for Working Group Members and Meeting Minutes

Healthcare Institutions Connected to district energy systems

The Healthcare Institutions Connected to District Energy Systems Working Group meets to discuss topics and potential issues that arise for healthcare institutions in relation to the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance.

Click here for more Working Group members and Meeting Minutes

BERDO Reporting

BERDO reporting instructions, how-to guides, and forms are available online to assist you in your reporting process.

Retrofit Resource Hub

The Retrofit Resource Hub is a one-stop shop for building owners, tenants, and contractors who want to know more about technical and financial resources available for retrofitting.

BERDO Regulations Development

BERDO regulations development on Phase III topics have officially wrapped as of December, 2023. To read finalized regulations, please visit boston.gov/berdo-regulations. Thank you for your engagement in this process, your involvement has greatly improved BERDO.

Learn how to use the BERDO Environmental Justice map tool with this How-to-guide.

Launch map tool