Combating Climate Change

Mayor Katjana’s Climate Leadership

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne's leadership on environmental issues has made Somerville a recognized leader in climate change mitigation, urban ecosystem restoration, and carbon footprint reduction. She’s implemented many ground-breaking initiatives to address these critical issues. Examples are Mayor Katjana’s first-ever Pollinator Action Plan to protect native pollinators, building on Somerville’s Native Species Ordinance, which she introduced as a City Councilor. These are a first of a kind plans for a dense, urban city like ours, and have already become models for similar cities across the country.

The success of Katjana’s leadership on climate has consistently earned Somerville recognition as a climate Leader by multiple organizations, including the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). The city was named a Certified Climate Leader Community by DOER in May 2025,for her bold climate action. Additionally, Somerville has been recognized as a global leader in climate action by CDP, appearing on their A-List for its transparent and ambitious efforts to address climate change. This recognition demonstrates Mayor Katjana’s commitment to leading on climate and working towards a sustainable future.

Urban Ecosystem Restoration

Mayor Katjana’s efforts to restore and enhance the urban ecosystem in Somerville are achieving results. These initiatives include:

• Urban Forestry: Katjana’s administration has planted more than 1,300 trees and  launched expert care programs for roughly 3,000 trees. By increasing tree canopy cover Katjana is providing shade, reducing heat island effects, and improving air quality in Somerville.
• Green Infrastructure: By implementing green / infrastructure solutions, such as rain gardens and permeable pavements, the Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project,   the massive Poplar Street Pump Station, Katjana’s initiatives are managing stormwater runoff and improving quality of life for Somerville residents & Businesses.
• Increased quality green space: Mayor Katjana has opened four new, public green spaces, the Dilboy Athletic Auxiliary Fields, and several, new pocket parks including 217 Somerville Ave. She has completed renovations of two parks and three schoolyards, the High School’s first ever athletic field, with more park projects underway.
• Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS): Mayor Ballantyne’s leading-edge work to expand open space at less public cost through POPs, which are public spaces created through private development, created the Boynton Yards POPs park.
• Community Gardens, Urban Agriculture : Ballantyne's administration provides fresh, affordable, local produce throughout Somerville through The Somerville Mobile Farmers Market. Mayor Ballantyne Healthy Incentives Program and her partnership with Somerville Farmers Market Coalition, and SNAP matches provide funds for fresh produce. By supporting community gardens and urban agriculture initiatives Mayor Ballantyne has increased access to fresh food and enhanced biodiversity.
• Native Planting Ordinance: While she was a City Councilor, she spearheaded the effort to introduce the Native Planting Ordinance. The ordinance mandates that a certain percentage of plantings in city-owned spaces, including parks, streets, and along the Green Line Extension, must be native species. As mayor, Katjana has continued to build upon it with initiatives like the Pollinator Action Plan.
• Pollinator Action Plan: Recognizing the importance of biodiversity, Katjana launched Somerville’s first Pollinator Action Plan, building upon the Native Species Ordinance I previously introduced as a City Councilor. This innovative plan for a dense urban environment serves as a potential model for cities nationwide.
• Non-Toxic Snow and Ice Treatments:  Mayor Ballantyne has launched a new ice melting approach that utilizes beet extract, which requires less salt on roads, has fewer impacts on cars, plants, and trees, and lowers winter maintenance costs.

Carbon Footprint Reduction

Mayor Katjana raised our climate goals from targeting just Net Zero—balancing the amount of greenhouse gases we emit with the amount we remove—to aiming to be Carbon Net Negative by 2050, meaning our goal is to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than we produce. She’s doubled the Office of Sustainability's budget and the number of full-time staff to tackle this crisis.

To reduce Somerville's carbon footprint Mayor Ballantyne uses complimentary strategies, including:

• Complete Safe Streets & Sustainable Transportation: Katjana’s Leadership on Transportation has earned Somerville’s ranking as one of America's Top Eco-Friendly Cities for Car-Free Transit, by Local Logic and Realtor.com, for walking, biking, and commuting without a car.  Mayor Ballantyne will continue to promote walking, biking, and public transportation through infrastructure improvements and incentives.
• Waste Reduction and Recycling: Mayor Katjana has enhanced waste reduction and recycling programs to divert materials from landfills and reduce emissions associated with waste disposal.
• Energy Efficiency Programs: Mayor Ballantyne is implementing energy efficiency programs for residents and businesses to reduce energy consumption and lower emissions. She’s incentivizing the move to cleaner electric energy, and away from fossil fuels in city buildings and large/new, commercial development.
• Neighborhood-based networked geothermal technology: Mayor Katjana committed to exploring networked geothermal technology to transition to cleaner, safer, and more efficient energy

These efforts reflect Mayor Ballantyne's commitment to creating a sustainable and resilient city for all residents of Somerville.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne believes that everyone in our community has a right to clean air and water. Everyone needs and deserves a healthy natural environment that cools, cleans, and provides habitat and recreation space. Everyone should have access to affordable and energy-efficient housing, and to low-emission, multi-modal transportation. Reducing and reversing the effects of climate change is a matter of immediate concern, enlightened self-interest, and mutual obligation.