Climate Ready Boston
Climate Ready Boston is City's initiative to prepare for the impacts of climate change.
In Boston, we experience the effects of climate change on a daily basis. Rising sea levels, hotter days, and stronger storms pose a threat to our communities, open spaces, infrastructure, and buildings. The City of Boston is taking action to build resilient solutions to ensure that Boston continues to thrive for generations to come. In 2016, the City released the Climate Ready Boston report, which evolved into the ongoing Climate Ready Boston initiative. Since 2016, we developed coastal resilience solutions plans that present strategies to address flooding for all 47 miles of Boston's coastline. We also developed a plan to equitably address rising temperatures across the entire city. The Climate Ready Boston team continues to work with the Boston community, public agencies, and private landowners to implement resilience projects that address coastal and inland flooding and rising temperatures.
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Climate Ready Boston (2016)
The City of Boston released the Climate Ready Boston report in 2016. The report included a citywide climate change vulnerability assessment, updated climate projections, and an outline of strategies to address extreme heat, stormwater flooding, and coastal flooding from sea-level rise and storms.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FULL REPORTEXPLORE CLIMATE DATA
The Climate Ready Boston Map Explorer features spatial data from Climate Ready Boston, which we regularly update as we collect new data and is available for download. Explore the areas in Boston that are at risk of extreme heat due to rising temperatures and flooding due to rising sea level rise and increased precipitation.
Coastal Resilience
Coastal Resilience for Charlestown
We released the Coastal Resilience Solutions for Charlestown Phase I plan in 2017 and Phase II plan in 2022.
Coastal Resilience for Dorchester
We released the Coastal Resilience Solutions for Dorchester plan in 2020.
Coastal Resilience for Downtown and North End
We released the Coastal Resilience Solutions for Downtown Boston and the North End plan in 2020.
Coastal Resilience for East Boston
We released the Coastal Resilience Solutions for East Boston Phase I plan in 2017 and Phase II plan in 2022.
Coastal Resilience for South Boston
We released the Coastal Resilience Solutions for South Boston plan in 2018.
Project Implementation
Learn more about the implementation of projects to protect Boston's shoreline from sea level rise and coastal flooding.
HEAT RESILIENCE
Heat Resilience Solutions for Boston
Climate Ready Boston released the Heat Plan in 2022, which identifies strategies to address current and future impacts of increased temperatures and extreme heat events due to climate change.
Extreme Heat Data Download
Download the extreme heat data from the Heat Plan.
Healthy Places Initiative
Healthy Places is a collaboration between three City plans. These plans aim to expand the urban tree canopy, plan for open space, and help Bostonians thrive in a changing climate.
Citywide Efforts
Climate Resilient Infrastructure Guidelines
Public Works released guidelines for flood barriers in the public right-of-ways in 2018.
Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines and Overlay District
The Boston Planning & Development Agency established the Coastal Flood Resilience Overlay District in 2022, which formalized the 2018 Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines.
Coastal Stormwater Discharge Analysis
In 2023, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission studied the impact of climate change on the drainage system and developed possible solutions.
Green Infrastructure
Green infrastructure helps with coastal flooding, stormwater management, and rising temperatures and is an essential part of Boston’s work towards becoming a greener, more resilient and equitable city.
Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Office of Emergency Management updated the City's Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2021.
Open Space & Recreation Plan
The 2015-2021 Open Space & Recreation Plan assessed Boston's open spaces and provided actions for improvements. An update to this plan is in progress as of 2023.
Urban Forest Plan
In 2022, the Parks & Recreation Department released a plan for how the Boston community can work together to prioritize, preserve, and grow our tree canopy.
U.S. Army Corps Partnership
A federal partnership that will assess different approaches to coastal resilience and recommend solutions that would be eligible for federal funding.
Wetlands Protection Ordinance
The Boston Conservation Commission adopted a local Wetlands Protection Ordinance in 2019, which gives the City greater authority to protect its wetlands.
Climate Action Progress
Across the City, we recognize the importance of tracking our progress and being transparent. The Environment Department regularly releases a Climate Action Progress report. In the report, we show the progress we're making on the initiatives recommended in Climate Ready Boston, as well as our other climate initiatives, such as carbon neutrality, zero waste, and wetlands conservation.
Resources
Resources- Climate Ready Boston (2016)
- Coastal Resilience Solutions for East Boston and Charlestown - Phase I (2017)
- Coastal Resilience Solutions for South Boston (2018)
- Coastal Resilience Solutions for Dorchester (2020)
- Coastal Resilience Solutions for Downtown and North End (2020)
- Coastal Resilience Solutions for East Boston and Charlestown - Phase II (2022)
- Heat Resilience Solutions for Boston (2022)
