Yarmouth Town Council Unanimously Adopts Climate Action Plan

The Town of Yarmouth is taking a significant step forward in addressing climate change with the unanimous adoption of its Climate Action Plan by the Town Council this March. This decision underscores the town's commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the well-being of its residents for generations to come.

To develop the plan, the Town Council created a time-limited volunteer resident task force, the Yarmouth Climate Action Task Force (YCAT). The Task Force developed the Plan with collaboration across Town departments, committees, community stakeholders, and input from members of the public. 

The adoption of the Climate Action Plan fulfills the call outlined in the Climate Emergency Resolution, passed by the Council in 2022 following a groundswell of rigorous and inspiring advocacy by local youth activists. The Resolution established bold targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero and prepare for climate impacts while requiring a strategic plan to guide progress. The Town’s Climate Action Plan lays out an actionable roadmap for meeting these targets.

Council endorsement of this Plan means Yarmouth joins our neighboring communities that are creating strategic climate plans and taking meaningful steps to empower residents and businesses to reduce emissions while adapting policies and services to prepare the community for a healthy future. 

The final Plan and materials can be found online at the Town’s website, yarmouth.me.us, and yarmouthclimateaction.org. Residents are encouraged to explore the Plan and sign up for the sustainability department newsletter to get involved with future initiatives and stay up to date on Plan implementation progress.

For more information on the Yarmouth Climate Action Plan and upcoming town sustainability initiatives, please contact the Sustainability Coordinator, Meddy Smith, at msmith@freeportmaine.com.