Preparing for climate change and working toward climate resiliency, the City in 2021 adopted Climate Resilient SD, its first comprehensive plan to increase the ability to adapt, recover, and thrive in a changing climate.
Today’s climate “reality” was driven home dramatically by flooding damage from recent sea-level rise, high tides, and the historic Jan. 22 storm, the fifth wettest day in San Diego since 1850 that saw rainfall rates in some areas approaching a half-inch per hour.
The Climate Resilient SD webpage provides resources regarding the four main climate hazards – heat, wildfire, sea level rise, and flooding – including what the science says, how to prepare for it, and links to other guidance.
San Diego Community Newspaper Group held a Q&A with the City’s Communications Department, discussing San Diego’s game plan for preparing for – and dealing with – climate change.
SDCNG: How is the City going to achieve the objectives it has set in its Climate Resilient SD plan?
CITY: The objectives within Climate Resilient SD are achieved through the implementation of the adaptation and resilience strategies in Appendix A of the plan. The City’s Chief Resilience Officer is responsible for identifying the various City Departments, outside agencies, and community partners whose work furthers each of the strategies. The CRO also monitors the implementation status of each strategy and provides a public-facing implementation tracker where members of the public can view the status of each of the adaptation and resilience strategies. Climate Resilient SD is intended to be a living document, and its implementation is shaped by continued community engagement and active involvement in plan implementation.
SDCNG: Is there a timetable for the City achieving its goals in this plan?
CITY: One key component of developing Climate Resilient SD was the creation of the Implementation time frame. This timeline identifies when each adaptation strategy included in the plan should be implemented and can be found in Appendix A of the plan. Strategies that are identified as near-term strategies are strategies that should be implemented within the next five years; midterm strategies are strategies that should be implemented within the next 10 years; long-term strategies are strategies that should be implemented after the next 10 years; and ongoing strategies undergo continuous action by City departments.
SDCNG: Will enacting this plan require any sacrifices/costs on the part of the public?
CITY: The goal of Climate Resilient SD is to reduce climate-related impacts and burdens on communities. For communities to be most prepared for a changing climate, people need to know how a climate change hazard might affect their daily lives, awareness of resources available to them, and the ability to access necessary critical services. Successful implementation of the adaptation and resilience strategies will require continued community involvement and working closely with community members to identify community needs and opportunities, especially in underserved communities. Successful implementation will also leverage the additional benefits provided by many of these strategies. For example, increasing green spaces in areas subject to flooding helps to lower the risk of flooding, but also improves air quality, provides recreational opportunities, and provides additional habitat for plants and animals. There are also, of course, costs associated with the implementation of the strategies that will require funding.
SDCNG: We imagine this will involve changing/enforcing building codes, etc. to achieve a reduced carbon footprint. Please tell us about that.
CITY: Climate Resilient SD acknowledges the current and future impacts of climate change and identifies actions the City can take that will increase our ability to adapt, recover , and thrive in a changing climate. Actions that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are outlined in the 2022 Climate Action Plan (CAP), which is a separate but related document under the City’s Our Climate, Our Future initiative. The CAP sets an ambitious goal of net zero GHG emissions by 2035 through a variety of strategies that include building decarbonization. Those strategies and actions can be reviewed on the CAP website.
SDCNG: Background on the plan describes it as “a key first step.” What are the steps to follow?
CITY: The development of the plan was a key first step in working towards a climate-resilient San Diego. The City Planning Department continues to coordinate internally with other City departments to monitor the implementation of the plan. The progress that the City is making toward plan implementation can be viewed on the City’s website through the Climate Resilient SD Implementation Tracker. Other important next steps for the City include continuing to identify and pursue new sources of funding and making sure that the City is prepared to successfully compete for and secure such funds. Of course, conditions and plans change over time, and the City Planning Department will also bring forward necessary updates to the plan over time.
SDCNG: What City department(s) are working on implementing the Climate Resilient SD plan?
CITY: Approximately two dozen City departments are working toward the implementation of Climate Resilient SD, including City Planning, Sustainability and Mobility, Environmental Services, Fire-Rescue, Fleet Operations, Parks and Recreation, Police, Public Utilities, Department of Real Estate, and Airport Management (now under the Economic Development Department), Transportation, Stormwater, Debt Management, Finance, Development Services, Office of Emergency Services, Information Technology, Public Library, Communications, Risk Management, Office of the City Treasurer, Engineering and Capital Projects, and the Mayor’s Office.
SDCNG: Is there money set aside in the City’s budget long-term to facilitate the implementation of the plan?
CITY: Each department that is responsible for the implementation of Climate Resilient SD’s adaptation and resilience strategies is tasked with incorporating that implementation into its work programs and operating budgets. Where additional resources are needed for implementation, those are identified as part of the budget process. Additionally, the City Planning Department is leveraging the considerable grant funding available for climate action and resilience to move the strategies forward, including nearly $500,000 for the Climate Hazard Vulnerability Assessment and over $1.3 million in grant funding for the preparation of the Coastal Resilience Master Plan.
