Cape Cod Commission presents draft climate action plan to Eastham officials

The Cape Cod Commission on March 25 presented a draft local climate action plan to the Barnstable County Board of County Commissioners and Eastham officials, framing the document as a town-driven roadmap for resilience and emission reductions.

Christy, executive director of the commission, said the plan was developed in collaboration with Eastham staff and volunteers and is intended to be a tool towns can adapt. "We're really pleased to be working collaboratively with the town of Eastham to really develop a draft climate action plan for the town," she said.

Deputy director Steve Tupper described the project as a year-long pilot that built on earlier town work, including a greenhouse-gas inventory and public engagement events. He said the draft — released for a 30-day public comment period — packages about 56 strategies across five topic areas and includes a reader's guide and a visual executive summary designed to help residents and officials prioritize actions. "What we developed for Eastham was what Eastham asked," he said, noting the plan is not prescriptive but is written to help the town seek grants and coordinate implementation.

Commissioners and town leaders pressed on implementation. Several speakers praised outreach tactics — workshops, pop-up events at the farmer’s market, a business focus group and school engagement — and said those efforts helped shape recommendations. Mary Nee, chair of Eastham's zoning task force, welcomed the scientific detail on coastal vulnerability but warned that regulatory follow-through and technical resources will be required if the plan identifies managed retreat or building limits.

Presenters said the next steps are to incorporate public comments, present the draft to the Eastham select board and finalize the plan with implementation measures and measurable performance indicators. The commission also plans to refine materials and tools so that other Cape towns can replicate successful engagement and planning approaches.

The draft plan is available on the project website; commissioners said they want the county to remain engaged in supporting towns' climate planning and follow-through.