December 2023 
Funding climate resilience and fostering regional collaboration is crucial for California as the State faces escalating climate threats such as wildfires, droughts, and rising sea levels. Investment in resilience initiatives not only mitigates these impacts but also safeguards the state’s economy, infrastructure, and communities. A regional approach to resilience enables communities to address the multifaceted challenges created by climate change that transcend political boundaries. Regional perspectives on resilience planning allow for a more holistic understanding of shared resources, interconnected systems, and common vulnerabilities.
The Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program (ICARP) in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) administers the Regional Resilience Planning and Implementation Grant Program (RRGP). RRGP supports collaborative projects to address significant climate change risks, especially in vulnerable communities. The program allows applicants to identify the regions they serve based on shared natural and built systems and priority climate risks, ensuring a more inclusive response to climate change.
CLEE’s report, An Initial Review of the ICARP Regional Resilience Planning and Implementation Grant Program, evaluates the first round of RRGP and makes recommendations to improve regional approaches to resilience. This report focuses on program development, applications, and the outcomes of the first round of program awards. Based on this analysis, which includes program data and stakeholder interviews, the recommendations address challenges and opportunities for the future growth of RRGP and regional resilience planning more broadly. Key recommendations for improving regional resilience planning include:
- Prioritize funding for multi-risk and multi-jurisdictional projects, which enables a more holistic and integrated approach to resilience.
- Synchronize program timelines and support all phases of project development from planning through implementation.
- Sustain ongoing funding for resilience grant programs, particularly for initiatives that support the planning to implementation pipeline.
Access the report here for the analysis and all the recommendations.
Contact Hanna Payne, Kasia Dahlbeck, Shruti Sarode, or Louise Bedsworth for more information.