Communities step up their resilience and climate planning

Even before the start of what is expected to be a busier than normal Atlantic hurricane season, widespread rain and flooding have already begun to soak the South, putting millions at risk for flood damage and power outages among other threats. In fact, in the first five months of 2024, the U.S. has already been hit by disasters costing $7 billion, including storms, heavy snow and hotter than average temperatures.

Communities and their infrastructure find themselves at the mercy of more extreme weather events, and they must take some immediate steps to adapt to the changing climate and mitigate damage. Fortunately, many cities and localities are tackling the challenge head-on by implementing policies and programs that help their communities improve quality of life and build more resilient communities.

Sarasota County, Florida, for example, is working to strengthen its resilience to increased flooding. 

At the beginning of 2024, the county began a flood-vulnerability assessment to evaluate risks to current assets from rising sea levels and flooding and to influence future development and policymaking. Sara Kane, the county’s sustainability and resilience manager, told NRP in January that based on those evaluations, the county will create a list of projects that will make the community more resilient, ranging from coastal habitat restoration to planting trees and improving existing infrastructure.

The city of Sarasota had already published a Climate Adaptation Plan in 2017 that established relevant climate projections, assessed and prioritized vulnerabilities and created an action plan. Part of that plan identified critical city buildings and potential mitigation tactics to manage stormwater and flooding, power-grid pressure during extreme heat events and power line damage. Proposed solutions included developing climate resiliency design guidelines for city buildings, retrofitting and upgrading various aspects of infrastructure including water catchment features and green infiltration areas.

To guide upgrades and designs of new and existing buildings, Sarasota County has relied on LEED standards as a guide. LEED—more formally known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design—is a green building certification program run by the U.S. Green Building Council, or USGBC, that includes rating systems for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings, homes and neighborhoods. LEED standards also guide building owners and operators to use resources efficiently and be environmentally responsible.

By using LEED guidelines and benchmarks, the county made myriad improvements in both public and private spaces, ranging from in-home installation of energy- and water-efficient devices to creating an energy tracking database for all county-owned and operated buildings.

Sarasota County is not alone. Cities and counties across the country are also stepping up their resilience and climate planning, relying on programs to help organize data and metrics to create a path forward. In April, USGBC announced that 12 localities in Florida, Kansas, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin joined the LEED for Cities for Local Governments Leadership Program, which helps local leaders set goals, collect data and validate performance through LEED for Cities certification.

Over the years, many local governments have participated in the program, resulting in programs and initiatives that support their residents in building resiliency. Orange County, Florida, for example, has been installing solar panels on public buildings as part of its goal to move 100% of the county’s electricity operation to clean, renewable sources by 2035.

Houston, a member of the LEED for Cities 2021 Cohort, made investments in resilience and design strategies for future disasters, including hurricanes. It developed guidelines for rooftop solar, putting mechanical equipment on upper floors and designs that allow for reduced runoff of water and pollutants.

Issaquah, Washington, the first city in Washington state to achieve LEED Gold certification, passed a land use code that requires LEED Platinum designation for buildings over 10,000 square feet.

While many of these plans are ambitious, local budgets are often tight. Comprehensive strategies cannot be implemented overnight, nor can they be enacted without funding assistance. In many cases, that financial support can come from the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which remains the largest climate investment in history. Resources allocated by the IRA can critically enhance the ability of local governments to access funds specifically designated to implement sustainable building initiatives.

Local governments can apply for IRA-funded grants and low-interest loans aimed at reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency in public buildings and investing in renewable energy infrastructure. These funds give cities and counties greater capabilities in adopting innovative practices, retrofitting existing infrastructure and developing new buildings that are both greener and more resilient. 

Sarasota County received a $1 million grant from IRA funding—specifically, from the national Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program, or CPRG. The first phase of the program offers metropolitan and state governments funds to develop climate action plans, and the second phase will allocate $4.6 billion to construct and create the outlined projects. The county also applied for an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency CPRG implementation grant, which could help fund projects like high performance buildings, solar projects, workforce development and energy efficiency education for underserved communities.

The IRA is not without its critics, and some lawmakers are exploring ways to cut back the investments included in the law. This would be a mistake. As localities lead the drive toward healthier, stronger built environments in the face of extreme weather conditions, the funding provided by the IRA is critical. Tax incentives, rebates and grant programs have fueled the success of sustainability efforts and to continue that promising work, preserving resources is imperative.

Extreme weather plagues all communities around the world. Cities and counties need help to mitigate its risks. Federal incentives to help localities advance green building and achieve green certification standards are an essential part of the solution.

Hilari Varnadore is vice president, LEED for Cities, U.S. Green Building Council.