On March 9, 2026, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a resolution in the Boston City Council to rollback the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) for five years. BERDO is our single most important climate policy, since buildings create 70% of greenhouse gas emissions in Boston.
The Boston Climate Action Network (BCAN) categorically rejects this effort. BERDO is a world-leading climate standard that improves health, lowers long-term energy costs, and creates good-paying jobs. According to the City of Boston’s Worker Empowerment Cabinet, BERDO will drive $4.41 billion to $8.15 billion in new spending between 2025
and 2030 that will support upwards of 29,000 jobs per year during that timeframe. It is also a proven tool for health. It will eliminate pollution from Boston’s 5,000 largest buildings in the coming years. That’s why BCAN members advocated strongly for its passage, alongside community organizations, architects, engineers, and others.
It also balances strong accountability with flexibility. The Net-Zero-by-2050 approach ensures long-term action and provides predictability and transparency for building owners in their capital planning. Rolling back the Ordinance for five years harms predictability and guts our ability to take action on climate. Finally, there is no evidence that BERDO or other climate policies are to blame for the slower pace of real estate development in Boston.
We urge the Boston City Council to reject this resolution and urge all Boston residents to write to their City Councilor to ask them to oppose this Resolution.
Sample Letter
Dear Councilor,
I hope this email finds you well. I write as your constituent to respectfully request you oppose Councilor Flynn’s resolution calling for the rollback of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO). BERDO is our single most important climate policy, as buildings account for nearly 70% of Boston’s greenhouse gas emissions.
BERDO is a world-leading climate standard that improves health, lowers long-term energy costs, and creates good-paying jobs. According to the City of Boston’s Worker Empowerment Cabinet, BERDO will drive $4.41 billion to $8.15 billion in new spending between 2025 and 2030 that will support upwards of 29,000 jobs per year during that timeframe. It is also a proven tool for health. It will eliminate pollution from Boston’s 5,000 largest buildings in the coming years. That’s why BCAN members advocated strongly for its passage, alongside community organizations, architects, engineers, and others.
It also balances strong accountability with flexibility. The Net-Zero-by-2050 approach ensures long-term action and provides predictability and transparency for building owners in their capital planning. Rolling back the Ordinance for five years harms predictability and guts our ability to take action on climate. Finally, there is no evidence that BERDO or other climate policies are to blame for the slower pace of real estate development in Boston.
I look forward to hearing from you about this critical policy that protects our health, our wealth, and our planet.
Sincerely,
Your Constituent
Who is my City Councilor?
You can see a list of City Councilors and their contact information below. You can also find your City Councilor using the button below.
| First Name | Last Name | Neighborhoods | Phone | |
| Gabriela | Coletta-Zapata | East Boston, Charlestown, North End, Wharf District | gabriela.coletta@boston.gov | 617-635-3200 |
| Ed | Flynn | South Boston, Chinatown, South End, Bay Village, Downtown, Back Bay | ed.flynn@boston.gov | 617-635-3203 |
| John | FitzGerald | Dorchester, South End | john.fitzgerald@boston.gov | 617-635-3455 |
| Brian | Worrell | Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain | brian.worrell@boston.gov | 617-635-3131 |
| Enrique | Pepén | Hyde Park, Roslindale, Mattapan | enrique.pepen@boston.gov | 617-635-4210 |
| Ben | Weber | Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury | benjamin.weber@boston.gov | 617-635-4220 |
| Miniard | Culpepper | Roxbury, South End, Dorchester, East Fenway | miniard.culpepper@boston.gov | 617-635-3510 |
| Sharon | Durkan | Beacon Hill, Back Bay, West End, Fenway-Kenmore, Mission Hill | sharon.durkan@boston.gov | 617-635-4225 |
| Liz | Breadon | Allston, Brighton | liz.breadon@boston.gov | 617-635-3113 |
| Erin | Murphy | Citywide | erin.murphy@boston.gov | (617) 635-3115 |
| Henry | Santana | Citywide | henry.santana@boston.gov | (617) 635-4205 |
| Julia | Mejia | Citywide | julia.mejia@boston.gov | (617) 635-4217 |
| Ruthzee | Louijeune | Citywide | ruthzee.louijeune@boston.gov | 617-635-4376 |
BCAN 