Mayor seeking members for new Commission on Climate Action & Sustainability

Malden Mayor Gary Christenson is seeking at least five residents and two youth liaisons (who must be current high school students) to join the Commission on Climate Action and Sustainability. Formerly the Commission on Energy Efficiency, the transition reflects a broader mission to address critical climate and sustainability challenges that go beyond energy efficiency alone. The updated commission will lead initiatives on energy conservation, climate resilience, emissions reduction, and sustainable practices within the community. Its mission is to create and maintain a safe, healthy, sustainable and equitable community by addressing the threat posed by the changing climate to the Malden community. This includes working to reduce Malden’s greenhouse gases and other climate and environmental impacts, and planning for community resilience and well-being to address the impacts of the climate crisis, such as rising temperatures, worsening storms, increased flooding and poor air quality.

Commission roles

• Monitor and support implementation of the City of Malden’s Climate Action Plan.
• Communicate and coordinate with the City departments most involved in implementation of the Climate Action Plan, as well as the City Boards and Commissions whose work is addressed through the Plan, including the Conservation Commission and the Community Preservation Commission, and any other appropriate bodies.
• Approve periodic updates to the Climate Action Plan, including updates to the greenhouse gas inventory and climate risk assessments, and make recommendations for priorities and implementation in the coming years.
• Ensure that the Malden community of residents and businesses has opportunities to understand and participate in the Climate Action Plan, prioritizing participation from impacted communities, including youth, elders, disabled community members and those who need language access support.
• Annually publish a report on implementation of the Climate Action Plan with a dashboard of key indicators of how the city is achieving its goals, as well as any additional recommendations or policies the Commission might adopt.

Commission responsibilities

• To attend monthly meetings, with specific dates selected based on member availability
• To support direct engagement with a broad base of stakeholders around the Climate Action Plan
• To review, propose edits and share feedback on drafted materials, including annual reports and updates to the Climate Action Plan
• To advise City officials on strategies and priorities to further the City’s climate action goals
• To be open to the diverse perspectives and needs in the Malden community

Ideal candidates for the Commission

• A resident of the City of Malden or otherwise a member of the Malden community
• Committed to an environmental justice approach by focusing on the needs and participation of those who are most vulnerable and impacted by the negative effects of climate change. This includes residents who are immigrants, for whom English is a second language, who are lower income, who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color.
• Knowledgeable about issues related to climate change, climate resilience and/or municipal sustainability and energy practices
• Represent Malden’s immense diversity of experiences, perspectives and cultures

To apply, please complete the online Boards and Commissions Application in full at www.cityofmalden.org/BCApplication. Please email kmanninghall@cityofmalden.org for more information. The deadline for applying is Wednesday, November 27, 2024.