Why include Natural Climate Solutions in a federal stimulus package? | Q&A with Linda Orel, Trustees Director of Policy

A “Net Zero” bill to reduce climate emissions passed the Massachusetts Senate in February. The legislation includes natural climate solutions (NCS), which are focused on removing and storing carbon through conservation, restoration and improved management of forests, wetlands and grasslands. This approach can deliver up to one-third of all climate emissions reductions, and The Trustees is working to pass similar language in the House of Representatives before the end of the legislative session in July.

The Trustees is also urging the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation to include NCS and green infrastructure funding in a major infrastructure package that Congress may pass to help the nation recover from the current health crisis of COVID-19.

Though negotiations surrounding the infrastructure package are currently stalled in Congress, a recent poll from Ipsos found a majority of voters (71%) across 14 countries believe climate change should be prioritized in any policy response to COVID-19, including 59% of voters in the U.S.

One Waterfront sat down with Trustees Director of Policy Linda Orel to learn more about how NCS and green infrastructure funding would fit within a stimulus package, and what that would mean for our state, if passed:

Linda Orel, Director of Policy at The Trustees of Reservations

Q: What are natural climate solutions, and how do they fit within a federal stimulus package?

A: Natural climate solutions are actions to protect, restore, and better manage natural and working lands, such as forests, farms, wetlands and urban trees and landscapes, to reduce carbon emissions. Natural solutions are the only tool available capable of removing carbon pollution from the air, at scale. Using NCS, Massachusetts could remove an additional two million metric tons of carbon pollution every year. NCS also help our communities to become more resilient to climate impacts, including sea level rise, floods, and super storms while offering valuable co-benefits such as habitat conservation, outdoor recreation, and water supply protection.

Congressional leaders have discussed the probability of passing a comprehensive infrastructure package to help the economy recover from the impacts of Coronavirus. The focus will likely be on investments in transportation and water infrastructure, which inevitably includes land and water conservation and restoration. Natural solutions are affordable, sustainable, create jobs and stimulate economies, while helping communities stay healthy and safe and reducing costs. For example, every $1 million spent by the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration on green infrastructure projects, generates a 75% return on investment and creates or maintains 12.5 full-time-equivalent jobs.  

Q: How could a federal stimulus package that includes natural climate solutions and green infrastructure benefit our state, from The Trustees perspective, if passed?

A: The Trustees has called on members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation to include significant federal investments in nature-based infrastructure to help us to mitigate climate emissions and protect communities from the worst impacts of climate change. Such investments could be particularly effective along the Massachusetts coast where The Trustees is the largest private owner of protected coastline, with 120 miles in our care.

For example, The Trustees urged Congress to permanently dedicate full Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) investments, totaling approximately $900 million every year, to invest in conservation and parks. LWCF could partially fund the creation of two major urban parks in Boston that would increase public access to the waterfront, and help build its resilience to flooding and storms, contributing to meeting the City’s climate preparedness goals. The Trustees is also actively involved in several active land acquisition projects around the state that would potentially benefit from LWCF funds, including a major conservation project on Martha’s Vineyard.

Q: When do you think we may see movement on this?

A: We understand that Congress may negotiate and pass a federal stimulus package focused on infrastructure this summer. We’re not sure how big the package will be, for how long the funds will be available, or whether it will pass for sure. However, if the Recovery Act of 2009 is used as a model, then a 2020 package could make hundreds of billions available for up to 10 years for infrastructure projects and programs. Consistent federal dollars are particularly important to support larger NCS and green infrastructure projects, and to leverage state, local and private investments in land and water conservation and restoration projects. So The Trustees will continue to advocate for significant investments in natural climate solutions and climate resiliency projects.

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To learn more about what One Waterfront is doing to build a series of resilient, welcoming, and world-class parks around Boston’s vulnerable waterfront, click here.

[Thumbnail image courtesy Darren Halstead on Unsplash]