This course provides participants with a flexible approach for translating a vulnerability assessment into a comprehensive action plan. Participants will learn to assess and prioritize their organization's (or region's) climate risks, adapt to these risks over time and begin to embed these changes into existing systems and processes. Attendees will gain an understanding of how to coordinate and implement adaptation plans throughout their organizations and surrounding communities, and take advantage of key opportunities associated with climate adaptation work.

Learning Objectives

  • Building a framework for prioritizing and evaluating current/future projects, programs and activities through a climate lens
  • Scoping and framing the adaptation plan, and developing an initial suite of adaptation strategies to match organizational priorities
  • Establishing stakeholder partnerships (ie local communities) and best practices, gaining stakeholder buy-in, and balancing long-term and short-term risks
  • Coordinating adaptation efforts between departments, facilitating internal and external collaboration, and securing funding
  • Understanding barriers to adaptation plan implementation (political, legal, financial)
  • Linking mitigation / sustainability opportunities with resilience / adaptation work by improving buildings, infrastructure, and systems
  • Assessing impacts to employees and communities
  • Learning the basics of cost avoidance and ROI, monitoring progress and reassessing effectiveness

Course Architects

  • Pinar Balci – Director, Bureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis, New York City Department of Environmental Protection
  • Brenda Dix – Senior Associate, ICF International
  • Olga Dominguez – Retired, Assistant Administrator, Office of Strategic Infrastructure, U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • Lisa Friend – Former Sustainability Planner, Boulder County (Colorado)
  • Nancy Gassman – Assistant Public Works Director, Sustainability Division, City of Fort Lauderdale
  • Nancy Girard – Former Commissioner, Boston Department of the Environment
  • Tonya Graham – Executive Director, GEOS Institute
  • Hubert Murray – ‎Manager of Sustainable Initiatives, Partners Healthcare
  • Susanne Torriente – Chief Resiliency Manager, City of Miami Beach
  • Karl van Orsdol – Principal Consultant, Sustainable Buildings and Communities, DNV
  • Adam Whelchel – Director of Science, The Nature Conservancy