Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Boston Mayor Martin Walsh has been named chair of Climate Mayors, a network of city leaders dedicated to addressing climate change at the local level.
Walsh had served as the network’s co-chair since its 2014 inception. He replaces outgoing chair Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles and cofounder of the climate coalition. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will continue as a network co-chair.
The network of 468 U.S. mayors has committed to upholding the goals of the international Paris Climate Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in local communities. Walsh will help promote climate-forward actions at the local level, exemplify climate action for leaders at all levels, and advocate for an equity- and environmental-based economic recovery.
In naming Walsh as its new chair, Climate Mayors cited numerous Boston climate efforts, including accelerating work to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, driving down emissions, improving energy efficiency, preparing for sea-level rise and extreme weather, and promoting climate resilience in vulnerable city neighborhoods.
Walsh took office in 2014 and was reelected in 2017. He had previously served in the House of Representatives, representing parts of Boston and Quincy.