Mainstreaming Consideration of Climate Change: New York State Leadership

The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) represents New York State’s ambitious goal of reaching nation-leading climate targets to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. Passed in 2019, the CLCPA mandates an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, zero-emission electricity by 2040, as well as a surge in renewable energy production and transmission. As the state transitions to renewables and a net-zero emissions economy, new jobs will be created and 40% of the benefits of this energy transition will go to those most impacted by climate change. You can download the draft Land Use and Local Government Advisory Panel Panel Recommendations (PDF) and Adaptation and Resilience Recommendations (PDF) that were presented to the Climate Action Council in May and June, 2021. Sign up for updates and learn about how the state plans to meet these goals at climate.ny.gov.

Guidance from the Community Risk and Resiliency Act

The Community Risk and Resiliency Act (CRRA) requires state agencies and applicants to consider future physical climate risks including storm surge, sea-level rise, flooding, and extreme weather events in certain permitting, funding, and regulatory actions. The use of natural resilience measures to reduce these risks is imperative to protecting our state’s communities and environment. New York has made reducing these risks a priority for the state. For more information, see these resources:

Climate Smart Communities

Enhance community resilience to climate change through the adaptation-focused Pledge Element 7

Climate Smart Communities is a community certification program of the DEC Office of Climate Change. Municipalities can complete a range of actions to become certified, focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Communities interested in learning about resilience to flooding, extreme heat, drought, and more can look to the adaptation chapter Pledge Element 7. Take the Climate Smart Communities pledge and start your community's journey to certification.

*See additional guidance on Creating an Inclusive Planning Process

**See the Increasing Resilience to Flooding Flowchart to help decision making related to updating flood maps and freeboard