The Environmental Impact of Housing, Transit, and Energy Policies in Cambridge

Abstract
In 2015, the City of Cambridge implemented the Net-Zero Action Plan to establish the goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors by 2050. This research project examines the potential impact of three recent policies– the Cycling Safety Ordinance, the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance, and the Affordable Housing Overlay– on citywide greenhouse gas emissions. Over the past two decades, the construction of bike lanes is estimated to have reduced transportation emissions in Cambridge by 10%. This suggests that the Cycling Safety Ordinance’s plan to build 25 miles of bike lanes within the next 5 years may influence commuter mode shift to bikes, thereby reducing the city’s transportation footprint. The Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance mandates energy reporting and emissions reductions for large commercial buildings and is projected to reduce emissions by 93% in regulated buildings. However, concessions made to secure policy passage, such as reliance on carbon offsets and the exclusion of residential buildings from emissions reductions requirements, may minimize its potential impact. The Affordable Housing Overlay increases housing affordability by upzoning Cambridge’s squares and main streets. In addition to social and economic benefits, upzoning has the potential to decrease household emissions. Multi-family housing tends to have lower energy consumption and transportation emissions than single-family housing (the difference is largest for suburban or rural areas). Finally, this research project discusses the reasons for community opposition to municipal policies, underscoring the importance of diverse stakeholder input and coordination. Overall, the interplay of these three policies highlights the need for cities to consider a range of housing, transit, and energy policies to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Researcher: Claire Wigglesworth