CLIMATE & eNERGY GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Salem believes in decreasing its impact on the climate and its natural resources through sustainable, clean, and efficient practices. The city understands its role in protecting its built and natural environments from the effects of the climate crisis while also addressing that both the opportunities and stresses of the changing climate are often unequally distributed. There is a recognized need for regional and global action, but Salem should continue to lead its own sustainable social, environmental, and infrastructure policies and regulations.
Resiliency plans should include protections for the City’s most vulnerable infrastructure and populations.
As a low-lying coastal community, Salem is particularly vulnerable to the affects of the climate crisis, but not everyone will be affected equally. A disproportionate burden is put on low-income communities and communities of color. Salem should work to protect and respond to those most impacted by a changing climate through education, engagement, empowerment, and innovation.
Sustainability programs and policies should be expanded, codified, and compulsory.
The City of Salem has a number of sustainability efforts already, but these programs and offerings should be expanded. Salem should explore implementation of incentives and/or penalties for homeowners, businesses, and developers that participate in sustainability programs including
Salem’s critical urban, historic, and natural resources should be identified and proactively and sustainably enhanced and protected.
Salem’s urban, historic, and natural resources are vast—miles of waterfront parks, some of the most historically significant architecture in the country, and sites that are formative to the Commonwealth and country. These assets should be fully understood, with resources allocated to their protection with an emphasis on sustainable operating models.
Climate resiliency strategies should be comprehensive, measurable, and urgent.
The City should work to understand the issues facing Salem today as a result of the climate crisis and use 2026 and its 400th anniversary as a catalyst to set specific goals. These goals should be significant in scale and scope and be applied equitably across the community.
Policies and regulations should strengthen the city’s infrastructure, economy, and social services to protect and prepare residents for natural disasters and resulting stresses.
The policies of the City designed to address climate resiliency should address a number of constituencies and areas. Natural disasters—especially those resulting from a changing climate—put stresses on many facets of the community and urban environment and steps should be taken to ensure that these burdens are mitigated through regulations and policies led by the City.
Imagine Salem Guiding Principles
