New California Law Empowers Local Governments to Plan for Climate Adaptation

State Senator Bob Wieckowski is working to help communities get the necessary tools to increase capacity for climate resilience.

2 minute read

November 4, 2016, 9:00 AM PDT

By rzelen @rzelen


Oroville Drought

sddatta / Shutterstock

The creation of the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program by the California State Legislature this year was one of major legislative victories on the adaptation and resilience side of climate change action. California has begun to assess how climate impacts will impact the state's water, infrastructure, agriculture, and coastal communities. In an exclusive interview with The Planning Report, State Senator Bob Wieckowski, chair of the California Senate Environmental Quality Committee, discusses the recently signed SB 246, which he authored. SB 246 addresses the challenges of coordinating regional and state efforts to integrate climate adaptation into planning. SB 246 created the state clearinghouse on best practices for adaptation strategies in the Governor's Office of Planning and Research and expands the existing Safeguarding California efforts.

In looking at the capacity of local governments, Sen. Wieckowski saw large disparities in how communities could prepare for climate impacts. Sen. Wieckowski worked with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research to also incorporate local governments into the existing interagency coordination on climate adaptation, and share their work with the local government folks who were previously unaware. Sen. Wieckowski explained the equity component to making all communities aware of climate adaptation work, stating:

“Let’s say we want to address sea-level rise, which is a significant cause of concern for communities in the Bay Area. If some well-to-do cities decided on their own to raise the money to create levees to protect their property values, the water would end up simply being redirected onto poorer communities. That’s why we need collaboration and coordination at the state level, and why we need to bring in scientists to determine the best efforts cities can undertake.”

Sen. Wieckowski also spoke to the needs of local governments going forward, which he frankly said is funding and designated money for local adaptation. In his interview, the Senator also discussed his work to remove barriers to building accessory dwelling units in hopes of providing immediate relief to California’s historic housing shortage, assess the Legislature’s potential next steps on refining the cap-and-trade program, and project how the state will continue to enforce sustainable statewide water policies.

Read more about Senator Wieckowski’s plan for increasing climate adaptation and resilience in The Planning Report.

Monday, October 24, 2016 in The Planning Report

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Close-up of traffic congestion from behind cars on a freeway in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop

When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.

March 17, 2025 - Todd Litman

Close-up on 45 mph speed limit sign with part of Golden Gate Bridge visible in background, San Francisco, California.

San Francisco Turns On California’s First Speed Cameras

The city is the first in the state to use automated traffic enforcement to reduce speeding and traffic deaths.

March 25 - KQED

Downtown Los Angeles skyline viewed from the northwest on a sunny day with scattered clouds.

Shaping LA’s Future: Public Voting Opens for LA2050 Grants

The LA2050 Grants Challenge invites Angelenos to vote on the top issues facing Los Angeles, helping direct $3 million in funding to organizations working to build a more connected and resilient region.

March 25 - MyNewsLA.com

White CTA bus and elevated train against sunset sky in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Transit Agencies on Brink of Major Crisis

Without additional funding, regional transit agencies will be forced to cut services by 40 percent.

March 25 - Mass Transit