Plan

Climate Resilient San Diego

Summary

Climate Resilient SD is a comprehensive climate adaptation and resilience plan that addresses the four primary climate change-related hazards for the City: extreme heat, extreme rainfall or drought, wildfires and sea level rise. The level of impact these climate change hazards will have on the City’s people, assets and resources was assessed through a detailed citywide Climate Change Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix B). This assessment considered exposure to the hazard, sensitivity to the hazard and to what extent the asset or resource could adapt to the hazard. By identifying its more vulnerable communities, assets and resources, the City can implement adaptation strategies where they are most needed and use its resources most effectively. Adaptation strategies can lessen vulnerability by reducing exposure or sensitivity to climate change hazards, or by increasing their adaptive capacity, or ability to respond to the climate change hazard.

Year

2024

Details

Hazards Addressed

Erosion and Shoreline Recession

Extreme Heat

Flooding – Coastal

Flooding – Rainfall-induced

Wildfire

Assets

Cultural and Community Services

People

Property

Transportation and Mobility

Urban Landscape and Tree Canopy

Water Infrastructure – Stormwater

Water Infrastructure – Wastewater

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Equity Insights

To build a truly resilient San Diego, existing inequities must be addressed, and an equitable plan for prioritizing investments must be developed. Integrating social equity across City operations, centering racial and social justice practices in outreach and strengthening community partnerships are critical to achieving these goals. The impacts of climate change will not be felt equally by all communities, as some are more vulnerable than others. Historic isinvestments and unjust systems have resulted in some communities having access to fewer resources and being disproportionately impacted by climate change. These communities will face greater exposure to climate change hazards and experience climate change related impacts first and worst. By supporting and uplifting the most vulnerable populations and ensuring that they are safe and healthy despite potential climate change impacts, we can build a stronger, more resilient and equitable City.

Lessons Learned

To meet the challenge of climate change and to build a more resilient, more equitable city will require significant funding and investment. The level of investment needed cannot be met by existing funding streams alone. New sources of funding will be needed to meet implementation goals. With significant funding anticipated from Federal, State and other granting agencies, the City must be prepared to successfully compete for and secure available funds. To best position the City to be eligible, ready and competitive for available funding, the City’s funding strategy should include alignment of planning efforts, integration of resilience into capital planning, close coordination between departments and consideration of the staff capacity and resources needed for implementation. Building partnerships with community groups and continuing regional collaboration will accelerate San Diego’s transition to a climate ready, resilient city.