Equitable Adaptation Legal & Policy Toolkit Webinar

Jul 29, 2020  10:00

Event URL:  

Please join us for the Equitable Adaptation Legal & Policy Toolkit launch on July 29, 2020!

GCC will hold a webinar launching the Equitable Adaptation Legal & Policy Toolkit launch on July 29, 2020, at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT. Register for the webinar here.

The effects of climate change disproportionately affect overburdened and low-income people and communities of color, who 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.

For communities to be truly resilient to climate risks, they must have the resources to prepare for the coming changes, as well as the ability to withstand impacts and recover quickly after an event. Building equity into climate resilience planning involves addressing the disproportionate impacts that affect frontline communities and reversing the trends that make it harder for communities of color and low-income individuals to thrive. In practice, this involves both inclusive processes that give frontline communities opportunities to shape decisionmaking, and a deep investment in the programs and policies that frontline communities ask for and need. Importantly, these programs and policies should address not only climate risks, but also pervasive stressors such as lack of educational and economic opportunity and threats from displacement and gentrification.

To help communities address challenges of climate resilience and social inequality, the Georgetown Climate Center is partnering with leading experts to develop an Equitable Adaptation Legal and Policy Toolkit.

GCC’s Equitable Adaptation Legal & Policy Toolkit will help local policymakers and community-based organizations address these challenges and develop viable strategies for building climate resilience and social equity. The toolkit includes best emerging practices, legal and policy tools, and case studies centered on equitable adaptation solutions to help users to explore solutions linking equity and resilience. While there is no “one size fits all” approach to building equitable community resilience, GCC’s toolkit will provide analytical frameworks to help decisionmakers and advocates tailor approaches to their specific jurisdictions, legal contexts, and needs.

The toolkit will cover a broad range of subjects to help guide community-driven planning processes and implementation, including:

• Facilitating procedural and substantive equity, including community-driven engagement and government procedural processes;
• Economic resilience, affordable housing, and anti-displacement;
• Resilient energy, water, and natural systems;
• Disaster preparedness, response, and recovery;
• Public health; and
• Funding and financing approaches.

The toolkit will be hosted on the Georgetown Climate Center website with case studies linked to GCC's Adaptation Clearinghouse. Its online format will allow the toolkit to be dynamically updated to keep pace with new developments and remain easily accessible.