CAB presented and helped pass a town warrant article in May 2008 that established the Selectmen's Climate Action Committee (CAC).  The CAC was established to promote a goal of achieving 80% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 in alignment with the Massachusetts' Global Warming Solutions Act. The Committee has developed a Climate Action Plan that was approved by the Board of Selectmen on December 11, 2012.  A hardcopy of the plan can be downloaded online.

CAB has representatives on the CAC and is working closely with them on multiple initiatives. For more information on CAC and its work, visit www.brooklinema.gov and then search on Climate Action Committee.

We also work with other departments in Brookline's town government, including:

• Brookline Solid Waste Advisory Committee
• Brookline Home Heating Task Force.  CAB participated with a task force directed by Brookline's Health Department to outline recommendations for reducing home heating energy needs and costs.

CAB is pleased to be working closely with the Brookline Chamber of Commerce on events such as Climate Week and Green Business Expos. 

CAB recommends the following actions to the business community:

• Contact Eversource (NSTAR) to find out about their programs for businesses. 
• Learn about the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), a national non-profit organization which recommends ways to use local foods and to run your food business more sustainably.  The GRA also provides a green restaurant certification program in seven environmental categories.
• Learn about the Sustainable Business Network which offers ways to approach your business to make it more energy sustainable.
• Participate as part of CAB's Green Tools program. The program highlights tools and products such as greener paint and cleaning products, or items that support water conservation and insulation - that help home owners and small businesses reduce carbon emissions and save money.   Current participants include Connelly Hardware, Aborn True Value Hardware, and Economy Hardware. Read an article about the program from Hardware Retailing.

CAB works with Green Teams in Brookline High School and each of Brooklines eight elementary schools. The Green Teams program helps bring together representatives in each school to lower their school's carbon footprint, integrate an energy conservation program into the curriculum, encourage students and parents to cut carbon at home, and carry out special events. 

Brookline’s Elementary School Green Teams create opportunities for students, parents, teachers and administrators to reduce the impact that school-based activities impose on the environment. Each school-based Green Team:  

• Promotes environmental stewardship and education through hands-on events and activities within our school community. This includes supporting efforts such as:
  • School Gardens at each K-8 school
  • Composting at schools and zero-waste events 
  • Walk/Bike to School days and the Safe Routes to School program
• Supports the development of a K-8 environmental and outdoor education curriculum for the Brookline School System
• Monitors and reports on carbon-reduction-related actions that contribute to Brookline’s Town-wide carbon reduction goals
• Shares ideas, resources and information with Green Teams across town.

If you'd like to participate or find out more, contact the CAB's Schools Committee by emailing Christi Electris: christi.electris@gmail.com or Rebeca Salguera Palacios: greenteam.pierce@gmail.com.

Some examples of activities organized by the Green Teams include "Meatless Mondays" and a Catalog Cancellation Project.