In 2020, Orleans joined 13 of the Cape’s 15 towns in declaring a Climate Emergency. Voters at the October Town Meeting clearly signaled a commitment to take the necessary steps to reach net zero emissions in the earliest technologically and economically feasible time.
Voters’ approval of the Climate Crises Response Resolution (Article 42) directed the Select Board to develop a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan for Orleans in response to the global climate emergency and identify a focal point in Town Government for managing the process. The plan should have two main pillars: one related to mitigation (reducing carbon emissions) and the other directed to adaptation (managing the impacts from unavoidable emissions). The mitigation element would start with a greenhouse gas inventory – an estimation of the “carbon footprint” of the Town. This would become the baseline for measuring progress on carbon reductions, to reach a net carbon neutral outcome by 2035. The plan would also include a set of actions to reach the goal. The adaptation plan would include an integrated review of the vulnerabilities the Town faces and recommend necessary actions. All aspects of the process are to include an active program of public outreach and education.
