Massport selected VHB, with GBB as a sub-consultant focused on waste management, to prepare an Authority-wide Climate Action Plan/Net Zero Emissions (CAP/NZE) Roadmap with recommendations for cost-effectively reaching environmental goals that align with four possible strategies to be evaluated:

• Alignment with the Commonwealth’s Roadmap of 50% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels by 2030, 85% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels by 2050, and net zero emissions by 2050.
• 50% emissions reduction by 2031 (baseline year to be determined).
• 75% reduction in emissions by 2031 (baseline year to be determined) and net zero emissions by 2050.
• Any other scenario that supports Massport’s objectives and realistically achieves net zero emissions by or before 2050.

The CAP/NZE Roadmap addressed key focus areas (Waste Management; Energy Planning, including energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and energy storage technologies; Transportation; and Natural Resources and Water Stewardship) and identified goals, targets, key performance indicators, and strategies for each focus area.

Key tasks performed by GBB, as the Waste Management lead included:

• Reviewing and synthesizing Massport’s data/information
• Providing recommendations to close identified gaps relating to waste management
• Reviewing industry best practices, researching previous studies from comparable entities, and identifying the advantages, challenges, and lessons learned from those projects
• Participate in a meeting with Massport subject matter experts on waste management to understand operations and activities to be considered as part of the waste management strategy
• Reviewing and updating Candidate Emission Reduction Strategies
• Identifying a short list of waste management strategies for further evaluation
• Preparing a Technical Memorandum summarizing waste management technical studies conducted and supporting data to facilitate decision-making on strategies
• Identify aspirational goals for waste reduction supported by 3-5 objectives
• Recommending key performance indicators for a waste reduction target
• Provide suggestions regarding waste management, sustainable procurement, and materials management