Climate Change and Sustainability at the MBTA

Aerial view of the T's solar canopy covering a parking lot in West Hingham.

The MBTA plays an important role in helping to reduce emissions in Massachusetts—a transit system that meets the needs of the 21st century, helps get people out of their cars, and supports good land use in Greater Boston.

To meet the transportation needs of our region, the MBTA uses many forms of energy: electricity, natural gas, diesel, steam, and other carbon-based fuels. We seek to reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment whenever possible.

The MBTA's Environmental Management Sustainability Policy lays out the MBTA’s guiding principles to:

Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other air quality impacts
Diligently maintain and exceed environmental compliance at our facilities

As of January 2021, 100% of the MBTA’s system is powered by certified renewable electricity.

Our climate change strategies are designed to mitigate the impact of greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the effects of a changing climate by building a resilient system.

Climate Change Resiliency

Tiger dams tested for flooding prevention at Aquarium Station in 2019

While we work to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, climate change will continue to impact public transit in Greater Boston.

Extreme weather events—heavy rain, storm surge, and sea level rise—can delay or disrupt service, threaten the health and safety of our customers and employees, and increase the cost of repair, maintenance, and operations. These events are expected to increase in both frequency and intensity in the next 50 years.

Our Plan to Address Climate Change

We are committed to mitigating the risks of climate change and investing in a more sustainable transit system.

Vulnerability Assessments

Vulnerability assessments aim to understand which parts of the system are at highest risk for damage due to climate change. These assessments inform system-wide modernization projects.

Blue Line (Complete): Also included detailed assessments of key areas such as Orient Heights and Aquarium Station
Orange Line (In progress): Also includes assessments of all yards and maintenance facilities
Red Line/Mattapan (In progress): Also includes assessments of all yards and maintenance facilities
Green Line (Not started): Will assess vulnerability of all Green Line branches
Bus facilities (Complete): A GIS-based assessment of existing bus facility conditions and vulnerabilities to help the MBTA make decisions about facility improvements.
System assessment (In progress): Includes an assessment of all power, signal, and communication systems, as well as pumping systems and stormwater management.
System-wide flood risk (Ongoing): Using GIS mapping software and the Massachusetts Coastal Flood Risk model, an assessment of flood risks throughout the system (including track elevation) and considerations for ridership impacts.

Vulnerability assessments aim to understand which parts of the system are at highest risk for damage due to climate change. These assessments inform system-wide modernization projects.

Blue Line (Complete): Also included detailed assessments of key areas such as Orient Heights and Aquarium Station
Orange Line (In progress): Also includes assessments of all yards and maintenance facilities
Red Line/Mattapan (In progress): Also includes assessments of all yards and maintenance facilities
Green Line (Not started): Will assess vulnerability of all Green Line branches
Bus facilities (Complete): A GIS-based assessment of existing bus facility conditions and vulnerabilities to help the MBTA make decisions about facility improvements.
System assessment (In progress): Includes an assessment of all power, signal, and communication systems, as well as pumping systems and stormwater management.
System-wide flood risk (Ongoing): Using GIS mapping software and the Massachusetts Coastal Flood Risk model, an assessment of flood risks throughout the system (including track elevation) and considerations for ridership impacts.

Assessment and Design Standards

We’ve developed a set of standards for assessing climate change impacts and to ensure that resilience is built into each project from the earliest stages of design.

A Climate Resiliency Score helps evaluate the climate focus of projects being proposed for the five-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP).
New design standards, developed with the Office of the Chief Engineer, help set standards for flood protection, stormwater management, and other forces that can affect the infrastructure.
Mandatory consideration of climate-related risks as part of design and construction for new projects. All new designs will apply new engineering practices according to The Leadership and Environmental Energy Design (LEED) standards and the The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure’s Envision standards.

We’ve developed a set of standards for assessing climate change impacts and to ensure that resilience is built into each project from the earliest stages of design.

A Climate Resiliency Score helps evaluate the climate focus of projects being proposed for the five-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP).
New design standards, developed with the Office of the Chief Engineer, help set standards for flood protection, stormwater management, and other forces that can affect the infrastructure.
Mandatory consideration of climate-related risks as part of design and construction for new projects. All new designs will apply new engineering practices according to The Leadership and Environmental Energy Design (LEED) standards and the The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure’s Envision standards.

Resiliency Projects

While many of our Capital Projects include some form of climate resiliency, some of our work is primarily focused on mitigating the impact of natural disasters, particularly flooding and rising sea levels.

Fenway Portal Flood Protection Project (Complete): Includes the construction of flood doors at the Fenway Portal on the Green Line D Branch
Aquarium Station Flood Proofing Project (In progress): Includes the installation of a new flood door at Long Wharf and flood barriers at Aquarium Station
Charlestown Sea Wall (In progress): Reconstruction of the sea wall near the Charlestown Garage to protect the facility from waterfront erosion and future sea level rise.

Fenway Portal Flood Protection Project (Complete): Includes the construction of flood doors at the Fenway Portal on the Green Line D Branch
Aquarium Station Flood Proofing Project (In progress): Includes the installation of a new flood door at Long Wharf and flood barriers at Aquarium Station
Charlestown Sea Wall (In progress): Reconstruction of the sea wall near the Charlestown Garage to protect the facility from waterfront erosion and future sea level rise.

View the December 2020 board presentation on climate resiliency

Partnerships and Recognition

Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC)

In 2021, the MBTA received the EBC Award for Climate Change Project of the Year from the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC). The MBTA was awarded this honor in recognition of its conversion to 100% renewable electricity, effective January 1, 2021.

Learn more about the MBTA’s renewable energy contracts

Bond Buyer Recognition

In 2017, the MBTA's first sustainability bond issuance was recognized as The Bond Buyer's 2017 Northeast Regional Deal of the Year and was a finalist for the National Deal of the Year. Proceeds from MBTA sustainability bonds are used to finance projects with clear environmental, social, and economic benefits.

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

In 2015, the MBTA was awarded the Gold Level Recognition as part of the APTA Sustainability Commitment Pledge, which sets standards for environmental preservation, social responsibility, economic viability of the system, and overall quality of life for commuters.

Leading by Example Award

In 2014, the MBTA was recognized by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Executive Office for Administration and Finance for its outstanding effort to implement policies and programs that have decreased energy consumption per passenger trip by 12.9%.

Learn more about the Leading By Example Program

Sustainability Programs

To learn more about the MBTA’s efforts towards environmental sustainability, take a look at our sustainability programs below.

Energy Management

Reduce our annual carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels by investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Natural Resource Protection

Protect our natural resources and reduce pollutants in our air, land, and water.

Waste Management

Reduce impact with system-wide recycling and responsible waste management programs.

Sustainable Design

Preserve history and the surrounding environment using sustainable building practices and materials.

Greening the Fleet: Decarbonizing the MBTA

Reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions with new, more efficient vehicles.

Sustainability Bonds

Issue sustainability bonds to finance projects that have clear environmental, social, and economic benefits.

Vegetation Management

Perform routine and emergency vegetation management to ensure rail safety.

Building a Better T

As part of our $8 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.

Learn more

Sustainability Report

To learn more about our efforts to build a more sustainable future, read the 2017 Sustainability Report.

Read the 2017 Sustainability Report

Share Your Ideas

If you have ideas or suggestions for making the MBTA more environmentally sustainable, please email environmental@mbta.com or call 617-222-4376.