Community-Driven Climate Resilience Planning: A Framework

In October 2021, the National Association of Climate Resilience Planners and the Movement Strategy Center, in collaboration with various other nongovernmental organizations, released the Community-Driven Climate Resilience Planning: A Framework. The Framework’s authors advocate that communities on the frontlines and most exposed to the impacts of climate change be involved in developing any plan that helps build their resilience to these impacts. The more these communities participate in the planning process, any resulting plans will be more effective. Guided by this idea, the report lays out seven essential components of creating a community-driven resilience plan: (1) co-developing the planning model; (2) facilitating community power building; (3) creating a bold visioning strategy; (4) defining the problem with the help of the community; (5) assessing community exposure to climate impacts; (6) developing solutions through leveraging partnerships; and (7) ensuring that the planning process is kept “on track.” Made primarily as a guide for community-based organizations assisting in the development of climate solutions, the Framework is also designed to be useful for philanthropic organizations working to address the climate crisis, as well as public officials promoting resilience.