A Market for Transformation? The Politics and Progress of Building Retrofits for Decarbonization and Climate Adaptation in Boston, Massachusetts

This thesis investigates Boston, MA’s approach to retrofitting buildings as part of its efforts to decarbonize and adapt to a changing climate. Boston has set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and existing buildings are responsible for 70% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. Boston has an ambitious set of building decarbonization policies that includes regulatory measures, economic incentives, and a focus on equity and climate justice. BERDO (the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance) is one of the first building emissions standards in the country. Though it applies only to large buildings, it is supported by a range of funding programs at the municipal, state, and federal levels that are available for buildings of all sizes, particularly for marginalized building owners.

Through close analysis of recent policies and programs like BERDO, interviews with key informants involved in building retrofit efforts in different capacities, and case studies of the Seaport and North End neighborhoods, this thesis argues the policies and programs governing building retrofits in Boston have created a “frontier” in the industry, allowing new actors to emerge as new practices and norms develop. However, the gap between municipal climate goals and regulations has resulted in an uneven approach to retrofits across the city. In an effort to close this gap, private actors have prioritized making the business case for retrofits. This strategy, and its implication that the monetary benefits of retrofits are more important than their climate or social benefits, is becoming institutionalized in Boston, which will ultimately limit the city’s ability to achieve its decarbonization and resilience targets in the absence of further regulatory policy.