Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments
The purpose of ICLEI's Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments is to help decision-makers in a local, regional, or state government by recommending a detailed, easy-to-understand process for climate change preparedness based on straightforward resources and tools.
Among the most comprehensive resources targeted to local government decision-makers, this guidebook combines an overview of the science of climate change, the likely impacts of climate change on communities and the process for assessing and responding to these impacts. Its thirteen chapters are organized into sections complete with explanations of what the reader should have learned upon reviewing each section. The major sections include: initiating your climate resiliency effort; identifying priority planning areas; developing and implementing your climate change plan; and evaluating progress and adjusting your plan. The guidebook contains many references, including appendices that help to demystify how these conclusions were reached.
This guidebook is among the best resources for local decision-makers and government staff seeking to understand the potential impact of climate change on their communities and their local government operations. Its regional analysis offers greater relevance to local governments regardless of geographic location; its connection with specific local government operations and functions helps to engage all necessary stakeholders and its well-organized format enables readers of all levels to find the information they need to start a climate change program in their community. It should be noted that this guidebook focuses on adaptation (responding to climate change impacts) rather than on mitigation (reducing greenhouse gases).
