2023 Federal Priority
Climate Action
From disaster recovery and hazard mitigation efforts to reducing emissions from transportation and buildings, planners across the country are working hard to protect their communities from climate impacts. But to continue moving the needle on climate action at the local, state, and regional levels, planners need support from the federal level.
Federal policy plays an instrumental role in providing the tools, data, resources, and incentives to help plan for reducing emissions, decarbonizing transportation, bolstering community resiliency, and protecting people from natural hazards.
We call on Congress and the Biden administration to promote planning for climate change by supporting critical resilience and environmental justice policies.
Opportunities for Federal Action
- Introduce legislation with incentives for locally led climate planning
- Establish program and funding guidance for PROTECT, MISSION, and other transportation resilience and carbon emission programs created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
- Incorporate climate planning in transportation regulations to hit greenhouse gas emission targets
- Fully implement Justice40 and environmental justice mapping initiatives across covered transportation, housing, and energy programs
Planning for Climate Change
In Two Portlands, Climate Plans Lead to Climate Action
Although Portland, Oregon, and Portland, Maine, have separate climate action histories, implementation of the strategies laid out in their climate action plans are already yielding results — like cutting emissions by 19 percent and 34 percent, respectively.
San Diego County Tackles Affordable Housing and Climate Change
Hear planning director Dahvia Lynch, AICP, discuss San Diego's connected approach to tackling housing and climate change, including a successful ADU program and an innovative roadmap for electric vehicles. (APA Podcast)
Solar@Scale: A Local Government Guidebook
As demand for solar power increases, many local government officials want to help the communities they serve capture the benefits of new large-scale solar projects. This guidebook explores the benefits and trade-offs associated with large-scale solar development to help communities make important decisions about solar energy projects.
Cascading Hazards with Dr. Michael Greenberg
Cascading hazards occur when an initial disaster triggers subsequent hazards throughout a community. Hear how planners are helping their communities prepare for - and mitigate against - cascading hazards at the local, state, and federal level. (APA Podcast)
Climate Advocacy in Action
APA Statement on COP26
APA President Leo Asuncion, AICP, emphasizes the role of planners in helping communities implement solutions to meet climate goals and a new zero emission future.
Climate Change Policy Guide
ADVOCATING FOR A SAFER, MORE RESILIENT FUTURE
APA members issue climate policy guidance to federal and state decision makers and communities.
This authoritative guide positions planners to guide federal, state, and local officials on climate action, and creating locally and regionally tailored climate policies, plans, programs, projects, standards, and regulations.
Top photo courtesy of Ed Wonse | https://www.edwonsekartworks.com/