Committee asks DSR to research greenhouse‑gas benchmarking vs. similar mid‑sized cities

At the May 16 Green Worcester Advisory Committee meeting (held June 16), members of the decarbonization benchmarks task force moved and approved a request that the Department of Sustainability and Resilience (DSR) research how Worcester’s greenhouse‑gas emissions and reduction progress compare with other mid‑sized U.S. cities.

Ted Connor moved the request; Evelyn Hurwitz seconded. The motion asks DSR to identify comparable cities, report the metrics and data availability, and, if Worcester is not a leader, highlight practices used by peer cities that are achieving stronger reductions. Committee members asked DSR to return at a future meeting with a recommended approach and a timeline for completing that research. The committee agreed that an initial report or a feasibility update by the fall would be appropriate; DSR staff indicated some of the required inventories and data are already available.

The motion builds on the committee’s interest in tracking annual greenhouse‑gas inventories and in learning how Worcester’s progress compares with peers. Members said benchmarking could help the city identify practical policies and programs used elsewhere and guide prioritization of limited subsidies and staff resources.

Ending

DSR staff agreed to investigate data sources and present options on timing and methodology at a subsequent meeting for committee review.