Cool Innovators

Massachusetts Companies Embracing Game-Changing Ideas to Cut Carbon Emissions and Grow the Economy

Massachusetts has long been a leader in the fight against global warming, and the state has made major progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But Massachusetts must go even further to cut carbon emissions to the level scientists say is necessary to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. Fortunately, the tools and technologies to rapidly cut carbon emissions are at our fingertips. This document profiles Massachusetts-based companies and projects that are embracing ten innovative, game-changing trends to reduce carbon emissions.

Report

Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center

Massachusetts has long been a leader in the fight against global warming, and the state has made major progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But Massachusetts must go even further to cut carbon emissions to the level scientists say is necessary to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.

Fortunately, the tools and technologies to rapidly cut carbon emissions are at our fingertips. Cool Solutions, a report from the Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group, describes ten game-changing opportunities to reduce emissions in the areas of renewable energy, building design, and transportation. Together, these “game-changers” will help Massachusetts cut its global warming emissions to at least 45% below 1990 levels by 2030, putting the state on track to meet the target of 80% emission reductions by 2050 required under the Global Warming Solutions Act.

This document profiles Massachusetts-based companies and projects that are embracing each of the ten innovative, game-changing trends identified in Cool Solutions. The businesses profiled here are just a handful of the thousands of Massachusetts companies making a difference in the fight against global warming while creating jobs and boosting the state’s economy.  

According to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, clean energy companies employ more than 88,000 people in Massachusetts — an increase of 28,000 jobs since 2010.  Those figures don’t include Massachusetts residents working in other sectors that contribute to reducing carbon emissions, such as public transportation, nonmotorized transportation, and green architecture. A strong commitment to cutting Massachusetts’ carbon emissions will help ensure that clean tech companies continue to grow.

For most categories, it was relatively straightforward to find Massachusetts companies leading the way in implementing these game-changing technologies. For offshore wind, a technology that has not yet taken root in Massachusetts but for which there is ample potential off our shores, we profile Rhode Island businesses that are taking part in the nation’s first-ever offshore wind farm near Block Island, as well as a Massachusetts-based cooperative aiming to capture the benefits of offshore wind for local residents.

Together, these companies and projects are showing that fighting global warming and growing Massachusetts’ economy go hand in hand. Our state officials should support policies and programs that enable game-changing companies like these to thrive.