The Barrington Town Council recently adopted “Ready and Resilient Barrington,” a comprehensive climate action plan to guide the community toward a more sustainable future. 

Barrington is the first small- to mid-sized town in Rhode Island to adopt a municipal-level climate action plan, and the second municipality in the state (after Providence) to adopt a formal climate plan of any kind.

“Ready and Resilient Barrington is a comprehensive and aggressive game plan to address our climate resilience challenges head-on,” Barrington Town Council President Carl Kustell said. 

“After an extensive public process and unanimous Council support, Barrington’s climate action plan serves as an essential guide for municipal government, as well as our schools, residents, and businesses. Building on our Resilient Future Resolution from 2021 and our Community Electricity Aggregation initiative, we’re leading the way on climate. Now, we need to make sure we execute on it and that will take sustained community and governmental effort.”

The Barrington Town Council approved “Ready and Resilient Barrington” at its Oct. 16 meeting. The plan shares action steps for the years ahead to prepare the community to adapt to climate impacts. 

The plan also provides a path for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in alignment with the State of Rhode Island’s 2021 Act on Climate law.

A press release from the town listed some of the initiatives that are designed to help with implementation of the plan, such as reviewing building standards and establishing an education campaign to advise residents on how to reduce flood risks to their homes.

“Ready and Resilient Barrington was developed through extensive community engagement, including online surveys, public meetings, and the input of a dedicated Climate Action Advisory Group,” stated the recent press release.

The plan consists of 42 actions covering community resilience, energy use, infrastructure, transportation, natural resources, and waste. 

To develop the plan, the Town hired the Boston-based environmental consulting firm Kim Lundgren Associates, which specializes in inclusive municipal climate planning.

“This plan provides a clear path for reducing our carbon footprint and building resilience to the impacts of climate change,” Barrington Town Manager Philip Hervey said. “By working together as a community, we can create a safer and healthier Barrington for generations to come.”

As required by the Town Council, Ready and Resilient Barrington will be incorporated throughout the update of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, “Barrington 2050”, which is under way.