Georgetown Climate Center (GCC). Equitable Adaptation Legal & Policy Toolkit for states and communities

The impacts of climate change disproportionately affect overburdened and low-income individuals and communities of color that already face significant economic and social challenges. The cumulative impacts of pollution, racism, and political and economic disenfranchisement make it difficult for these communities to withstand and recover from extreme heat, flooding, and other climate impacts.

Today, the Georgetown Climate Center released the Equitable Adaptation Legal & Policy Toolkit, a comprehensive online resource to help state and local governments work with communities on climate adaptation solutions that put frontline communities first. Over 350 people joined the launch webinar this afternoon, which featured the toolkit's authors and advisors, including Jalonne White-Newsome (Kresge Foundation), Mayra Cruz (Catalyst Miami), Melissa Deas (D.C. Dept. of Energy & Environment), and the Georgetown Climate Center team.

Explore the Equitable Adaptation Legal & Policy Toolkit on the GCC website

The Equitable Adaptation Legal & Policy Toolkit features best emerging practices, legal and policy tools, and more than 100 case studies from across the country centered on equitable adaptation solutions. The toolkit explores fundamental concepts of procedural equity, community-driven engagement, and governance, then provides in-depth exploration of specific subjects to help guide community-driven planning processes and implementation, including: ·     Resilient Affordable Housing, Anti-Displacement & Gentrification ·     Natural Resilience & Green Space ·     Equitable Disaster Preparedness, Response & Recovery ·     Resilient Energy, Utilities, and Water ·     Public Health; and more. Each chapter includes lessons learned from communities and states that have implemented different approaches, and provides frameworks to help practitioners craft legal and policy options that address the needs of people who are most affected.

For questions, contact GCC Institute Associate and toolkit project lead Tiffany Ganthier, Tiffany.Ganthier@georgetown.edu. Explore the Equitable Adaptation Legal & Policy Toolkit on the Georgetown Climate Center website. Learn more about the toolkit's development process.