Sustainability Achievements

Timeline

Lexington's sustainability achievements serve as a model for communities across the Commonwealth. The following actions represent only a sample of the Town's work in sustainability.

2010

• Created the Sustainable Lexington Committee
• Adopted Massachusetts' optional "Stretch" Energy Code to call for improved building energy efficiency
• Designated as one of the first Green Communities in Massachusetts

2013

• Adopted a Climate Change Resolution to require climate change in all appropriate decisions (Article 29)

2016

• Joined the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy
• Approved a Community Choice Aggregation program to move towards 100% renewable energy

2017

• Joined the U.S. Compact of Mayors
• Launched Lex Drive Electric program

2018

• Adopted the Lexington Sustainable Action Plan to provide a structured approach to identify, prioritize, and implement Town sustainability initiatives
• Published Lexington's Getting to Net Zero Emissions Roadmap & Recommendations

2019

• Constructed the Town's first net zero school, Lexington Children's Place
• Adopted an Integrated Building Design & Construction Policy for all school and municipal buildings

2020

• Launched Lexington's PACE Program for Commercial & Industrial Buildings

2021

• Joined ICLEI's Race to Zero movement to achieve climate neutrality by 2050
• Launched LexSORT, a free community composting pilot program

2022

• Passed a Zero Waste Resolution
• Passed a Building Energy Use Disclosure bylaw

2023

• Passed the Opt-in Specialized Stretch Code
• Launched a curbside composting pilot program
• Passed Resilient Lexington, the Town's Climate Action & Resilience Plan
• Passed a framework to advance the Town's climate change and systemic racism resolutions