Holding Decision Makers Accountable
The pace with which Massachusetts is passing groundbreaking new climate laws is increasing. We must now ensure that these laws are effectively implemented and lead to tangible, measurable results. ELM not only devotes our energy to passing smart legislation, but also to the next steps in the process, be it regulations, scaling up pilot programs, or securing funding so projects can be realized. We use our platform, expertise, and relationships to promote transparency and monitor whether funding is spent appropriately, deadlines are met, and essential new programs reach their potential and serve all residents.
We at ELM:
- Educate the public so Massachusetts residents better understand the potential and impact of major climate legislation and which leaders and institutions are responsible for effective implementation.
- Monitor key climate laws and decisions at NetZeroMA.org.
- Leverage our membership on the Commonwealth’s Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) Implementation Advisory Committee (IAC), the Energy Transformation Advisory Council, and other key advisory boards to hold state policymakers accountable and to amplify community-based partners’ voices when decisions are made.
- Utilize the expertise of our staff to analyze the impacts of and provide commentary on local, state, regional, and federal regulatory processes.
- Ensure that capital plans and operating budgets provide necessary resources to state agencies and programs tasked with implementing new climate and clean energy laws.
Getting to Net Zero
MA has some of the strongest climate laws in the nation, including a requirement to reach net zero by 2050. But passing strong laws is only the beginning. We need sustained investment, complementary policy action, and effective implementation.
NetZeroMA.org tracks the most consequential climate decisions, focusing on actions that affect communities both today and in the years ahead. Created by the ELM, the site serves as an accountability hub that provides expert analysis to show where MA is making progress and where leaders are falling short.
