Climate Action Plan

View Climate Action Plan Approved by Town Council December 2024 (PDF)

The Town has partnered with the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) to develop Freeport's first Climate Action Plan. Freeport's Climate Action Plan will be a data-driven, actionable roadmap to reduce our contribution of polluting emissions while supporting a safe, healthy, and thriving community and environment.

The Freeport Sustainability Advisory Board has been engaging the community in developing strategies and has created a final draft Plan that will be presented to the Town Council for consideration in the coming months.

Climate Action Plan Definition

Municipalities can use Climate Action Plans to inform decisions, prioritize actions to take, and track progress toward their goals. Municipalities often include strategic goals for reducing emissions and enhancing resilience in their Climate Plans. By embarking on this effort, Freeport is joining many neighboring towns that have Climate Plans.

Discover How the Plan was Created

Read the Developing the Plan section to learn about the people and processes involved in creating this document.

Progress

  • Phase 1 (Completed): Convening Existing Groups and Examining Plans and Resources.
  • Phase 2 (Completed): Data collection and analysis: Emissions inventory and vulnerability assessment.
  • Phase 3 (Completed): Action planning: Final development of the Climate Action Plan.

Increasing Resilience in Freeport: What's been done? 

Currently, Freeport has several provisions in municipal operations that prioritize sustainability and increasing environmental resilience. 

The Shoreland Zoning Ordinance was adopted in 2022, and was created to protect and enhance wetland biodiversity, as well as reduce flooding. The ordinance restricts new construction and land use in areas proximal to the shore, lakes, ponds, rivers, or saltwater and freshwater wetlands. 

Conducted Project Canopy Tree Inventory and established the Municipal Tree Task Force in 2019 to determine the needs of the Town of Freeport in connection with its public tree program. It shall assist in the establishment of standards for the selection, planting, maintenance and removal of public trees. 

The Floodplain Management Ordinance, adopted in 2005, made Freeport a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and recognized that areas of our town are at high risk for flooding. The ordinance also made it a requirement to seek a permit before beginning new construction in a Special Flood Hazard Area. 

Freeport has an established Conservation Commission, enabling the town to acquire and manage land in the town for conservation purposes. The Conservation Commission has developed several trails and trail maps for the town. The Shellfish Conservation Commission is centered on the fishery industry of Freeport and aims to support a viable continuation of the fishing economy.