The state’s second-ever annual Climate Report Card was released last week, showing a mixed bag of results.
Last year showed some progress on heat pump installations, electric vehicles and chargers, land conservation, and efforts at adaptation to the impacts of climate change. But there were some clear headwinds, too, that led to a slowdown in clean energy development — a must-have if the state is going to stay on track for its target of essentially zeroing out greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century.
“For the things that we can control, we are seeing the results,” said Katherine Antos, state undersecretary for decarbonization and resilience. “The challenges that we’re facing more have to do with macroeconomic conditions.”
One thing is clear: While every year in this decade is critical for the climate, the hardest part is yet to come. “We always knew that 2025 to 2030 is the time where we really need to see market transformation and scaling of these solutions,” Antos said.
So, how is the state doing? Here’s a breakdown, with some context from local advocates and experts. You can also peruse the entire report card here.
Transportation
By the numbers: Massachusetts had 139,969 electric vehicles on the road by the end of last year, falling short of the target of 150,000. Public charging port installations jumped nearly 30 percent, but with 8,791 total in the state, there’s far to go to reach the state goal of 15,000 public charging ports by the end of this year.
Context: Electric vehicle sales were slow nationwide last year, and that was true in Massachusetts too. The good news, according to the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, is that things were looking up toward the end of the year, with increased sales in November and December. If that continues, the state will be on track for its 2025 goal of 200,000 EVs on the road.
What they’re saying: “There are encouraging trends, but significant challenges remain,” said Kate Dineen, chief executive of A Better City, a transportation-focused business group. “The Commonwealth is well positioned to ensure that Massachusetts becomes a national model for EVs by optimizing the MOR-EV program, supporting the installation of additional charging stations, and eliminating remaining regulatory barriers — in addition to making record investments in public transit to catalyze mode shift.”
Buildings
By the numbers: Heat pump installations were up by about 18 percent last year, according to Mass Save, and the state is on track to meet its goal of 100,000 new households using heat pumps between 2020 and 2025. (There were 90,384 as of July 1, 2024.)
Context: A combination of hefty Mass Save incentives and market maturation has helped drive heat pump adoption, but to reach the state’s end-of-decade goal, the speed of adoption will have to double to meet the target of 500,000 additional households with heat pumps over the course of this decade.
What they’re saying: “We live in a very old region — our buildings are old — and it’s really hard work,“ said Lizzi Weyant, deputy executive director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, who also served on a state committee that helped create new reforms for speeding up the clean energy transition. As more clean energy comes online and drives down electric costs, she said, heat pumps will be ”cheaper and more technologically advantageous.“
Power decarbonization
By the numbers: In 2022 (the latest numbers), half of the state’s electricity consumption was met by clean resources. For the majority of the state that is served by Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil, it was 54 percent clean, as required by state law. (Those laws don’t apply to municipal light plants, which often have less clean energy in their portfolios). Between 2022 and 2023, the state’s onshore wind capacity actually declined — from 113 to 110 megawatts — after two wind facilities were decommissioned, while its solar capacity increased from 3,325 to 4,023 megawatts.
Context: We’re behind. Offshore wind has always been expected to deliver big for Massachusetts — and it still is — but market forces slowed progress on major projects. Now, with a new president taking office who opposes offshore wind, there could be more delays in store. In the near future, Massachusetts will continue to work toward its goals by contracting with out-of-state power companies generating renewables like nuclear, onshore wind, and hydropower.
What they’re saying: “While sobering, it’s no surprise that transforming our power system is hard,” said Kat Burnham, senior principal at Advanced Energy United. “It will require a sustained commitment to doing the hard work of removing barriers to clean technologies.”
Environmental justice
By the numbers: It’s a mixed bag for so-called environmental justice communities, where the population on average is low-income, has a high percentage of people of color, and/or where a sizable number of households do not speak English very well, if at all. The amount of workforce grant dollars from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center that went to these communities fell from 76.9 to 63.6 percent. Meanwhile, the amount that median households paid in energy bills crept up.
At the same time, more state spending from the state Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs went to minority and women-owned businesses, surpassing a state goal for 2024.
Context: The Commonwealth’s focus on environmental justice is relatively new, with a state office created in 2023. Last year, the Healey administration worked on beefing up that office, with liaisons to each state agency that are determining what metrics must be tracked to ensure progress on climate and clean energy happens equitably.
What they’re saying: “The Commonwealth is making strides in incorporating environmental justice communities into the economic benefits of the energy system, including job opportunities,” said Mary Wambui, of the Planning Office for Urban Affairs and chair of the state’s Energy Efficiency Advisory Council Equity Working Group. “The Healey-Driscoll administration has increased contract spending with diverse suppliers and is setting ambitious future targets. I am pleased with the progress made in decarbonizing affordable housing, which is being supported through funding and technical assistance.”
Natural and working lands
By the numbers: Massachusetts passed its goal of permanently conserving at least 28 percent of all land in the state by 2025, hitting 28.1 percent. Next up, 30 percent by 2030.
Context: The state’s progress on permanent conservation has been balanced against another challenge: the continued loss of thousands of acres each year as parts of the state are developed. This tension hits at some of the biggest challenges facing the state — the need to build more housing, develop more clean energy such as solar, which has led to forest clearing in the past, and preserve natural and working lands to sequester carbon.
What they’re saying: “Although the amount of land conserved increased over the past year, the pace of land conservation needs to double to meet our net zero, biodiversity, and other goals,” said Steve Long, director of policy and partnerships for The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts. “At the same time, we need to reduce the pace of forest loss. This requires stronger public-private partnerships, increased resources and investment, and robust land use policies.”
Climate adaptation and resilience
By the numbers: The state is still working on developing metrics to track resilience measures, but there are some numbers it can report. In fiscal year 2025, state resilience-related funding was roughly $155 million (up from $90 million the year prior), and federal funding was up, too. Meanwhile 36 percent of state-aided housing developments considered highly vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surge have received climate resilience funding.
Context: State spending was up, in part, because while 2023 had been a year for planning, 2024 was a year of implementation, according to Antos, from the state. The Healey administration also launched several efforts around making coastlines (and other parts of the state) more resilient to climate change. With time, those efforts should lead to more metrics to track.
What they’re saying: “Boston, as the state’s largest city and a hub for innovation, has played a pivotal role in advancing this progress, from scaling climate resilience projects to piloting groundbreaking building decarbonization initiatives,“ said the city’s chief climate officer, Brian Swett. ”At the same time, we recognize the challenges ahead, particularly as we enter the critical 2025-2030 period when the sharpest emissions reductions are required. The Commonwealth’s focus on equity, environmental justice, and bold, innovative solutions will ensure we not only meet these targets but also build a stronger, more inclusive foundation for generations to come.”
Sabrina Shankman can be reached at sabrina.shankman@globe.com.