Climate Adaptation Policy & Practice in the United States A Presentation for the Environmental Evaluation Network Forum June 24, 2011 Steve Adams Managing Director | Climate Leadership Initiative The Resource Innovation Group

What is Adaptation? Adaptation - Adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. (IPCC 2007) Various types of adaptation can be distinguished, including ◦ anticipatory and reactive adaptation ◦ private and public adaptation ◦ autonomous and planned adaptation

Approaches to Climate Adaptation Anticipatory Planning ◦ Climate Vulnerability Assessments ◦ Climate Risk Assessments ◦ Strategy Development ◦ Integration into planning processes ◦ Evaluation & Measurement Organizing in key sectors Organizing around key threats

Notable Local Government Efforts King County – Seattle City of Keene (NH) City of New York Miami-Dade County City of Chicago

Adaptation Planning in the States Source: Pew Center on Global Climate Change

Intergovernmental Approaches to Adaptation CA-OR-WA SLR Assessment – National Academy of Sciences New York City – PlaNYC Western Governor’s Association Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact (CLI)

CEQ Adaptation Task Force – Final Report to the President (Oct 2010) Guiding Principles: ◦ Adopt Integrated Approaches ◦ Prioritize the Most Vulnerable ◦ Use Best Available Science ◦ Build Strong Partnerships ◦ Apply Risk Management Methods & Tools ◦ Apply Ecosystem-Based Approaches ◦ Maximize Mutual Benefits ◦ Continuously Evaluate Performance

CEQ Adaptation Task Force – Final Report to the President (Oct 2010) Policy Goals & Recommendations: ◦ Encourage & Mainstream Adaptation Planning Across Federal Agencies ◦ Improve Integration of Science Into Decision- Making ◦ Address Key Cross-Cutting Issues ◦ Enhance Efforts to Lead & Support International Adaptation ◦ Coordinate Capabilities of Federal Government to Support Adaptation

CEQ Adaptation Guidance to Agencies – March, 2011 Establish agency policy on adaptation Increase agency understanding of how the climate is changing Apply understanding of climate impacts to agency mission and operations Develop, prioritize and implement actions Evaluate and learn