Eastham Climate Action Plan

The Town of Eastham is partnering with the Cape Cod Commission to develop a municipal climate action plan. The Eastham Climate Action plan will serve as a vital tool for the Town and its residents, guiding local actions, priorities, and investments.

New: Workshop summaries, meeting materials, and a recording of the virtual workshop held in October are now available. View the materials in the "Get Involved" tab.

Overview
Get Involved
Outreach

Overview

Eastham marshes from Fort Hill

Situated along the eastern coast of Cape Cod, Eastham boasts approximately 29 miles of diverse coastline, providing residents and visitors with access to a variety of coastal landscapes.

Eastham also faces significant challenges from coastal flooding and erosion. Updated climate models predict that Eastham’s vulnerability to climate-related impacts will increase substantially in the coming decades. These impacts are expected to threaten residential properties, critical infrastructure, local ecosystems, and the economy.

To address these challenges and complement existing climate initiatives, the Town of Eastham partnered with the Cape Cod Commission to develop a municipal climate action plan. The Cape Cod Climate Action Plan serves as a framework and starting point for this effort. It identifies municipal climate planning as a critical strategy to support local adaptation, mitigation, and resiliency measures.

Eastham's plan intends to build on ongoing local efforts, including hazard mitigation planning, participation in the state's Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program, involvement in the Cape Cod Commission’s Low-Lying Roads project, Eastham’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, and a climate survey of Eastham residents and businesses. The Town of Eastham and its Energy and Climate Committee are actively integrating climate considerations into town planning, gathering valuable insights into residents’ views on preparedness, costs, and overall support for local climate action initiatives.

This plan aims to create a comprehensive roadmap for addressing climate change at the local level. It will outline realistic, cost-effective goals that align with regional, state, and national frameworks, while prioritizing equity by minimizing burdens on environmental justice and socially vulnerable populations.

Ultimately, the Eastham Climate Action Plan will serve as a vital tool for the Town and its residents, guiding local actions, priorities, and investments. It will feature actionable steps for both municipal leaders and individuals to take, ensuring broad participation and impact.

Get Involved

Eastham Turnip Bumper Sticker on maroon car

Public involvement is critical to developing a community-driven plan. Here are a few ways that you can get involved in the planning process:

Submit your thoughts via the public comment form here.
Spread the word using the outreach toolkit available on the next tab.
Share your thoughts with the project team, using the contact details below.

Community Workshops & Presentations

An initial community workshop was held on Tuesday, July 29 at the Eastham Public Library. Community members attended and shared perspectives and vision for Eastham's climate future.

The evening included a brief presentation about the project, followed by facilitated group conversation. Discussion topics covered considerations needed in areas such as energy, buildings and development, natural resources, transportation, emergency preparedness, and continued education and collaboration.

Two community workshops were held in the fall, an in-person workshop on October 29 at the Eastham Town Hall, and a virtual workshop on October 30. Both workshops featured a brief presentation followed by an interactive session in which attendees provided feedback on draft goals and objectives.

Presentations, summaries, and video from selected meetings is available below:

Questions? Contact Helaine Goudreau at helaine.goudreau@capecodcommission.org or 508-774-1218

Outreach Toolkit

Help spread the word about the Eastham Climate Action Plan and help others get involved.

This Outreach toolkit includes flyers that can be printed and/or shared digitally, social media graphics, and language that can be used in newsletters, emails, on websites, or in other communications.