Want your community to be climate resilient? Put someone in charge.

With every change of the seasons, communities across the country are reminded of the necessity for climate action. Whether it be record-breaking heat scorching many parts of the country or hurricanes and tornadoes bringing about floods and destruction to other regions, state and local leaders are directly confronted with community recovery and rebuilding after a natural disaster. It’s no surprise that adaptation and resilience strategies have emerged as priorities.

As the leaders gathering in New York City this week for the annual United Nations climate meeting know all too well, these are weighty responsibilities that require courage and commitment, and no one leader, agency or organization can do it alone. But to have a real chance at building resilience, there needs to be someone in charge—a person who is given the authority to coordinate, fund and carry out a plan to succeed.

Over the next decade, state and federal agencies have a chance to allocate more than $500 billion in federal funds toward strengthening climate resilience and transitioning to a low-carbon future. Much of this funding will be spent at the regional or local level. For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in June that it will spend $60 million to build a climate-ready workforce in coastal and Great Lakes states, tribal lands and territories.

Communities that are prepared to apply for and take advantage of these funding opportunities, that have strategies and tactical plans in place, will fare better than those that don’t.

However, according to a recent Deloitte survey of government leaders, only a small number of state and local agencies have a cross-functional and funded working group in place to coordinate efforts across their entire organization. Of the state-level leaders surveyed, 30% said they have either decentralized initiatives or have no systemic governance approach to sustainability goals, and that predicament is shared by 46% of leaders at the local level. Survey respondents represented all levels—from federal to municipal—and served in a climate or sustainability role.

Recognizing that climate action requires a whole-of-government approach, nearly 95% of Deloitte’s survey respondents at all levels of government said they have at least some sort of framework in place for addressing climate change, whether they’ve just started or are presenting a united front. But many reported that their frameworks remain unclear. 

A state-level leader to align various region’s overall priorities is critical. Local leaders know their communities best, but state leaders have a bird’s eye view. Several states have already taken action. Massachusetts, for example, has created an Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience, and named a cabinet-level climate chief, while South Carolina has established a cabinet-level Office of Resilience.

States are also using various strategies to catalyze change, from regulatory and financial policies to collaborating with universities and industries on solutions. Others are proposing new state funding mechanisms or taking advantage of federal incentives, green innovation hubs and community engagement.

The task of reducing carbon emissions and creating more resilient communities is not just a matter of technology, it will require innovative leadership and a willingness to explore new ways of collaborating with government, industry, academia and nonprofits.

Adapting to the ongoing impacts of climate change is critical, both now and in the future. According to the federal government’s Fifth National Climate Assessment report, which was released in November 2023, ongoing decarbonization efforts do not account for a new reality— that a warming planet has already changed the environment, communities and the way people live in every region of the U.S.

A state-level leader can use systems thinking to change multiple, interdependent systems at once. They can move resources across silos to solve problems affecting many departments and locations. They can offer incentives to create new markets, and work with local stakeholders to identify needs, make plans, build skills, remove regulatory barriers and provide funding.

States, cities and regions that do this can build resilience for future economic and environmental shocks.

Nes Parker is a principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP, and advisor to government leaders on matters of sustainability, climate and equity.

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