2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report for the Town of Harvard

The Greenhouse Gas Inventory provides an overview of the town’s emissions in 2022, benchmarking them against the previous 2018 report. Notable progress was made during that time; Harvard has demonstrated leadership in the adoption of heat pumps, EVs and solar installations. Our tree cover and land preservation plays a significant role in offsetting our emissions but emissions from transportation and housing challenges remain. Scroll down to see our progress through 2025.

HARVARD’S FIRST REPAIR CAFE

HARVARD’S REPAIR CAFE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED!
Repair Cafe Harvard is an HCIC initiative that promotes repair as an alternative to throwing things “away”.

Eco-Friendly Holiday Shopping

Eco-Friendly Holiday Shopping: Tips to Reduce Waste, Emissions and
Make a Positive Impact While Celebrating the Season

Harvard Certified Climate Leader Community

On November 13, 2025, The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the Department of Energy Resources (DOER)’s certification of the second group of Climate Leader Communities

Jane Flegal

Jane Flegal is a prominent American climate policy expert and social scientist with extensive experience in government, philanthropy, and academia. Her work focuses on developing and implementing climate change policies, particularly those related to technology, industrial emissions, and equity.

Tamara Shapiro Ledley

Dr. Tamara Shapiro Ledley is a STEM education consultant, Earth and climate scientist, and an Adjunct Professor at Bentley University.

Why you should consider Black Earth composting service

Did you know that each year Massachusetts households, businesses, and institutions discard enough garbage that, when compacted, would fill 3,000 Olympic swimming pools? At this rate, officials estimate that our existing landfills will close by 2030. Composting can reduce the volume of waste bound for landfills by 30-50%. It could reduce our Transfer Station trash costs by reducing the trash volume when many more residents compost. Few Harvard residents, however, have the ability or the space to…

Rich Marcello

Rich is a member of the Harvard Climate Initiative and a contributor to The Harvard Press, where he writes a column on the climate crisis.

New Incentives for Solar Power

Massachusetts has introduced new SMART incentives to support solar energy. These incentives offer stable payments for solar power generation, adapt yearly to market changes, and provide extra bonuses for projects that benefit the public, such as those in low-income areas or on unused land.

4th of July Parade 2025

The Harvard Climate Initiative entertained the crowds in the 4th of July Parade with an orchestrated brigade of electric lawnmowers and blowers, choreographed to “I’ve Got the Power.”

Eco-Friendly Home Tours

Celebrate Earth Day in May by meeting homeowners who will share their knowledge and experiences about sustainable living choices they have made. Registration helps us with planning (button above).

Sandbox – Newsletter

In these unpredictable times, Harvard’s Climate Initiative Committee is more committed than ever to moving forward with our climate goals. While challenges abound, given recent developments, we’re excited to share the positive steps we’re taking, and we’re eager to keep you updated on our progress.

PDFs

Help on how to include PDFs in a post. As a link, an image, a featured image,…

Heat Pump Coaches at the “General”

Are you considering heat pumps for heating & cooling your home or heating your water – but don’t know where to start? The Harvard Climate Initiative wants to help. We host meet-ups with volunteer coaches a few times a year. Here’s your chance to get your questions answered.

Destination: Nature 2024

This exhibit highlights the beauty of the diverse environments of the Nashua River Watershed: the river with all its tributaries, its wildlife, plant life and the lands and communities it nourishes.

Coaching Programs Coming in 2025

Heat Pumps Coaching Meeting in January and Solar Coaching Meeting in March. Harvard neighbors will be there to help those interested in learning about the options.

Bromfield Student Builds Temperature Tower

Don’t miss this short video of the creative, self-directed project from Bromfield student Ibrahim Shabra. He has built a tower that represents the rising global temperatures over time. Congratulations, Ibraham, on an innovative and graphic demonstration of our planet’s temperature rise!

Zoom link 2024-09-19

This template is intended for making a post completely with blocks. It is for experts!

Specialized Energy Code Adopted @ Town Meeting

The Specialized Energy Code (Fall Town Meeting Article 13) was adopted! It enhances Harvard’s existing building code to promote energy efficiency, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and encourage electrification.

What Can One Person Do?

The climate crisis is a defining challenge of our time, one that demands our immediate attention and action. While the consequences of inaction may seem daunting, the urgency of addressing the crisis offers us an extraordinary opportunity to make a positive impact.

Harvard’s Small Farms: Spotlight on Good Spirits Farm

Learn about one small local farm that uses regenerative agriculture and permaculture. Good Spirits Farm co-owner was interviewed about organic farming and apiary and techniques used to avoid pesticides, fungicides or other synthetic chemicals and still grow healthy produce.

Bill McKibben

If you’ve ever had trouble explaining to people why climate change is not just important but urgent, this video might be useful.

Preparedness

Follow these advised preparations for snowstorms, hurricanes, flooding, extreme temperatures and other climate related events.

Take Action

Do you want to make a difference and reduce the impact of actions warming our planet? We have plenty of ideas you can do to make a difference. Come learn more!

Know Your Land Series

At the heart of this endeavor is the series’ mission: to empower our community with knowledge about Harvard’s natural environments. By understanding how to care for and protect our land, we can ensure its health and beauty for generations to come.

4th of July Parade 2024

The Harvard Climate Initiative entertained the crowds in the 4th of July Parade with an orchestrated brigade of electric lawnmowers and blowers, choreographed to “I’ve Got the Power.”

We Are Going Green Flags

The Going Green flags make the invisible visible. Being visible can encourage others to take positive steps to reduce their carbon footprint. 

Heat Pump Coaches

Replacing heating and cooling systems in a home can be daunting but we have coaches who can help you.

Progress

Check out the progress on addressing climate change locally, statewide, nationally and internationally.

Heat Pump Coaches at the “General”

Are you interested in installing a heat pump for your heating and cooling but don’t know where to start? The Harvard Climate Initiative wants to help. We host meet-ups with volunteer coaches a few times a year. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

Climate Interactive Simulator by Tamara Ledley

Acting like world leaders in deciding how to address climate change, Bromfield students and community members worked together in teams to explore dozens of policies that impact climate change. They selected some, and used the simulator to understand the worldwide impact their decisions likely make.

Our Team

Our organization is driven by a dedicated team of volunteers. We offer a variety of ways to get involved, from committee positions to project-based assistance. If you’re looking to contribute your skills and time, we welcome you to join us!

Town Resolution

At the October 16, 2021 Town Meeting, a clear majority of the citizens of Harvard voted for The Climate Initiative Town Resolution. The resolution acknowledges the impact of climate change on our town, supports the state’s goal to reduce greenhouse emissions by 80% by 2050, and requires that the town consider environmental impact in municipal “purchases, public projects, processes, and policies.”

Climate Action Plan

On Dec 6 2022, the Select Board unanimously voted to approve a Climate Action Plan for the town. This plan was developed by the Climate Initiative Committee in conjunction with several other boards and committees in town.

Replacing invasives at Bromfield

The Bromfield Green Team and The Harvard Garden Club began the process of planning, securing grants, and replacing the invasive plants with native plants around the entrances of the Bromfield School.