Brookline Adopts 10-Year Climate Action Plan Targeting Net-Zero Emissions by 2050
Brookline has formally adopted a sweeping 10-year Climate Action and Resiliency Plan charting a course to net-zero emissions by 2050, the town's most consequential environmental policy commitment in years — arriving the same week Brookline Public Schools students are completing weather make-up days before the academic year closes.
TOWN HALL
Brookline's new Climate Action and Resiliency Plan sets a net-zero emissions target for 2050 and was developed by the Department of Public Works' Sustainability and Natural Resources Division. The town had already earned a Climate Leader Community designation from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, and the new plan formalizes the multi-decade strategy behind that recognition.
Also still in effect for World Cup fans: the Select Board's approval of a one-hour extension of closing hours for eligible restaurants and bars on designated match days, a policy that began June 22. Residents near Harry Downes Field should note that Green Dog hours remain suspended this Saturday, June 27, due to permitted sports events.
The Brookline Summer Eats Kickoff Party is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30 — the same day as the next Household Hazardous Waste drop-off at the Transfer Station at 815 Newton Street, where accepted items include batteries, oil-based paint, lightbulbs, fuels, and small electronics.
SCHOOLS
Brookline Public Schools students are in the home stretch: make-up days for weather cancellations run through Sunday, June 29. The school calendar shows additional make-up activity continuing into the same window, so families should confirm their school's specific last-day schedule through the district's Parent Portal.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Brookline Public Library has a full run of summer programming on tap this week. On Thursday, June 26, the Coolidge Corner branch hosts a Japanese-language storytime for children ages birth through 5 in the downstairs program room. On Saturday, June 27, the library offers "Worlds in Words," a creative writing workshop for tweens ages 10 to 13. On Monday, June 29, Coolidge Corner hosts a Pride Button Making drop-in, with supplies for a wide range of Pride flags and pronoun designs. On Tuesday, June 30, author Jennifer Welborn reads from her STEM picture book *Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals* and hosts a stuffed animal vet clinic. All three library branches will be closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 for Independence Day.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
Brookline Patch's lead story this cycle is "Brookline Approves New 10-Year Climate Action And Resiliency Plan" — the same plan announced on the town's homepage, covering the DPW-led process behind the document. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/brookline)
Patch also published "2026 July 4 Events Guide For Brookline," rounding up fireworks, parades, and other Independence Day activities in and around town as America marks its 250th anniversary. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/brookline)
COMING UP
- **Thu., June 26** — Japanese Storytime, Coolidge Corner Library (downstairs program room) - **Sat., June 27** — Worlds in Words creative writing workshop for tweens, Brookline Public Library - **Mon., June 29** — Pride Button Making drop-in, Coolidge Corner Library - **Tue., June 30** — *Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals* book reading and stuffed animal vet clinic, Brookline Public Library; also Brookline Summer Eats Kickoff Party; and Household Hazardous Waste drop-off, 815 Newton Street - **Wed., July 1** — Pride Storytime and rainbow craft program, Brookline Public Library - **Fri., July 3 – Sat., July 4** — All library branches closed for Independence Day - **Tue., July 14** — Next Household Hazardous Waste drop-off, 815 Newton Street