By Matthew Hersh

Princeton Council last week reaffirmed its commitment to the municipal Climate Action Plan, continuing a multi-year effort to reduce climate emissions and increase climate resiliency.

The resolution in support of that commitment, which was unanimous, serves as a guide to carry out the goals advanced in the municipal Climate Action Plan, but also serves a required ministerial purpose where the town must reaffirm its plan to satisfy certification requirements from Sustainable Jersey, a statewide nonprofit that gives guidance on environmentally sustainable actions and initiatives at the local level. Through certification, Princeton can pursue certain grants for sustainable goals and actions.

Princeton’s Climate Action Plan resolution is part of the town’s body of environmental sustainable work through Sustainable Princeton, an independent nonprofit that works to implement statewide initiatives at the local level.

“It is important that climate action remains front and center and not just checking a box,” said Christine Symington,” executive director of Sustainable Princeton. “Given all that’s going on in the world, we need to affirm our commitment and this action is meaningful.”

Sustainable Princeton led the 2019 effort to coordinate and complete Princeton’s Climate Action Plan, which outlines strategies to reduce carbon emissions and to help the community become more climate-resilient. Its goals include emissions reduction; increased low-carbon, affordable energy; mixed-use development and pedestrian- and transit-friendly neighborhoods; enhanced local natural resources; protecting the tree canopy; and reducing life-cycle emissions from residential and commercial waste generation.

The plan provides a community-based path to reduce emissions 50 percent (from 2010 levels) by 2030, 65 percent by 2040, and 80 percent by 2050.

Most members of the Princeton Council reflected on the governing body’s commitment to environmental stewardship at the 2026 reorganization meeting, a sentiment that Symington and Sustainable Princeton hope to build on this year.

“They talked about the importance of resilience, climate change, and enhancing our efforts toward stormwater management,” said Symington. “The resolution is important to show that affirmation from the Council and that the climate action plan is top-of-mind.”

Municipalities with approved climate action plans, or community energy plans, are better suited to receive Community Energy Plan Grants from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Community energy planning is the process by which communities collaboratively select emissions-reducing initiatives that help fulfill the goals of the state’s Energy Master Plan New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan: Pathway to 2050. All New Jersey municipalities with approved plans are eligible to apply for a $10,000 grant.

The Princeton Council has incorporated elements of the Climate Action Plan mitigation and resiliency visions, objectives, and actions into the Princeton Community Master Plan, and Symington said they will continue to update areas including future housing policies, green building, traffic circulation, utility services, community facilities, open space, and historic preservation.