Malden To Develop Climate Action Plan

MALDEN, MA — Malden will soon launch a process to develop a Climate Action Plan to steer the city’s response to climate change and improve sustainability in Malden, Mayor Gary Christenson announced on Thursday.

Backed by a grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the process will begin later this year with a phase focused on community engagement, according to Christenson’s announcement.

“This Climate Action Plan will be essential for securing the City’s climate future, reducing our own carbon footprint and preventing the worst impacts of extreme weather on our residents,” Christenson said in a statement.

The city will establish an advisory committee for its plan. That committee will include Malden residents from environmental justice communities to help guide city work to engage with community members about climate issues, as stated in the announcement.

“Climate change poses significant challenges for Malden and require[s] our full commitment as a City,” Christenson said last week. “I am proud that the Climate Action Plan will start off with a strong and inclusive community engagement campaign, so that we hear from residents across the City and across language barriers about how they are impacted and what we can do to help.”

City Councilors similarly weighed in, with At-Large Councilor and Environmental Efficiency and Sustainability Commission Chair Carey McDonald calling the area planning council’s grant “a huge win for Malden.”

“It will build on the good work of the past few years and address the serious impacts of climate change we are already seeing through worsening storms, runoff and flooding, and air quality concerns,” McDonald said. “We have to do our part to protect our community by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions creating a climate-resilient city."

Ward Six Councilor Stephen Winslow highlighted “enormous challenges” posed by various climate issues.

“I am delighted that the Mayor and the City’s Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee have secured funding to allow Malden to develop a Climate Action Plan to serve as the road map so we can work together on the bold actions to build a more sustainable future,” Winslow said.

The topic of environmental justice communities has recently been one of discussion in Malden after the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) flagged a series of environmental justice concerns in relation to envisioned renovations at Malden’s Roosevelt Park.

The city is seeking a loan from HUD to fund work at park, which has faced pollution and drainage concerns. The park is next to Malden’s Salemwood School.

HUD approved Malden’s loan application with conditions last year. Last month, as Malden looked to actually receive funds, though, HUD requested additions to an environmental review document.

The agency noted complaints from residents in saying that Malden had not properly considered environmental justice concerns in part of its Roosevelt Park process to date.

HUD has described environmental justice initiatives as aiming to ensure “equal protection from environmental and health hazards and providing equal and meaningful opportunity to participate in the decision-making process to achieve a healthy environment."

The city will now have to provide various documentation showing that it reached out to and involved environmental justice communities in its Roosevelt Park process and that its project will not negatively impact those communities.

Malden Director of Strategic Planning and Community Development Debbie Burke told Patch last month that city staff are confident they will meet the conditions of HUD’s loan, including its requests for additional information.

City officials said last week that they plan to post more information about Malden’s Climate Action Plan on the Malden city website and social media pages. Information will include details on how to apply to be part of the advisory committee as well as dates for community meetings.