Massachusetts Launches Survey to Inform 2026 Climate Science Report

The Massachusetts Office of Climate Science has launched a public survey to help shape the first-ever 2026 MA Climate Science Report, a landmark effort that will strengthen the state’s capacity to assess and plan for climate risks. The report will serve as the scientific foundation for statewide and local resilience planning, providing the data, projections, and guidance needed to inform evidence-based decision-making.

Developed in collaboration with a team of leading experts, the 2026 MA Climate Science Report will directly inform the next MA Climate Change Assessment (2027) and ResilientMass Plan (2028). It will include analyses of historical and projected trends in temperature, precipitation, and sea-level rise, as well as an overview of Massachusetts’ climate data availability and gaps. Additionally, it will provide detailed guidance on interpreting and applying this information in local impact and risk assessments. To ensure the report reflects the needs of its end users, the Office is conducting a statewide survey targeting municipalities, planners, researchers, and policymakers.

The goal is to gain a better understanding of the types of science, data, and tools most needed to evaluate and manage climate stressors and hazards across the Commonwealth. In this context, several key terms are central to the report’s framework. A climate stressor refers to a condition, event, or trend related to climate variability or change that can exacerbate hazards, such as sea-level rise intensifying coastal flooding.  A climate hazard is a physical event or trend, natural or human-induced, that can cause harm to people, infrastructure, ecosystems, or economies—such as a coastal flood driven by high tides, storm surge, or sea-level rise. Finally, a climate impact represents the realized consequences of these hazards on natural and human systems, resulting from the interaction of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability—for instance, road washouts or infrastructure damage caused by flooding.

While the 2026 MA Climate Science Report will focus primarily on identifying and characterizing climate stressors and hazards, the comprehensive risk and impact assessments will follow in the 2027 MA Climate Change Assessment, with policy and action updates integrated into the 2028 ResilientMass Plan. ClimaTwin is proud to participate in the stakeholder engagement process supporting this initiative.

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