Key Steps for Community-Centered Climate Planning

As climate disasters grow more frequent and severe, traditional approaches to risk reduction are no longer enough. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Toolkit presents a smarter way forward—leveraging ecosystems to strengthen disaster resilience and climate adaptation. What makes this approach effective? 1. Understanding Risks – Mapping climate hazards and vulnerable areas 2. Aligning Policies – Integrating NbS into national adaptation and disaster plans 3. Engaging Communities – Ensuring inclusive, transparent decision-making 4. Scaling Proven Solutions – From mangrove restoration to urban greening, real-world examples show impact For policymakers, climate advocates, and risk managers, this resource is a game changer.

I had the privilege of welcoming Jorge Figueroa from City and County of Denver's Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency to my Essentials of Stakeholder Class I teach at the University of Colorado Boulder. For organizations aiming to navigate the complexities of sustainability and climate action, integrating community engagement and equitable practices is essential. Drawing from Jorge Figueroa's insights, here are 5key takeaways that organizations can adopt to enhance their sustainability efforts: 1. Make Equity a Cornerstone: Start by embedding equity at the core of all sustainability initiatives. Focus efforts on supporting communities disproportionately affected by environmental issues, understanding that true progress comes from lifting everyone. 2. Engage Deeply with Communities: Shift from top-down approaches to genuine co-creation with communities. This means valuing local insights and experiences, and working together to develop solutions that are not only effective but also deeply resonant with those they aim to serve. 3. Understand Before Acting: Dedicate time to fully grasp the complexities of the challenges at hand. A thorough understanding of the problem not only informs better solutions but also ensures efforts are directed where they're most needed. 4. Adopt a Flexible Solution Framework: Avoid the trap of single-solution fixation. Embrace a broad spectrum of potential solutions, remaining open to adaptation based on evolving insights and community feedback. This agility is crucial in navigating the unpredictable terrain of sustainability. 5. Cultivate Transformative Dialogues: Engage in conversations that empower. By fostering environments where every voice can contribute to shaping the future, organizations can unlock innovative solutions and inspire collective action towards sustainability goals. #Sustainability #OrganizationalImpact #CommunityEngagement #EquitableSolutions #ActionableInsights Parallel Labs

Lessons from Hawai‘i: Climate Adaptation in Action At a time when federal funding for climate programs is being cut, the work of climate adaptation has never been more urgent—or more challenging. Yet, across Hawai‘i, researchers and community leaders continue to drive forward solutions that are place-based, equity-centered, and grounded in both science and Indigenous knowledge. My recent visit, along with Lauren Bataska, reinforced a critical truth: climate adaptation is not a distant challenge—it is happening now, in real time, in communities on the front lines of environmental change. At Pacific RISA, we worked with Laura Brewington, Victoria Keener and their amazing team, who are advancing climate resilience across Pacific Islands. Their work bridges science, policy, and community-driven solutions to address rising sea levels, shifting freshwater availability, and other climate-related challenges. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and deep engagement with local stakeholders, Pacific RISA is demonstrating what effective adaptation looks like in practice. Our visit to ʻIole with Todd Apo further emphasized the importance of place-based solutions. ʻIole is pioneering efforts to integrate Indigenous knowledge, ecological restoration, and sustainable land management, offering a model for how cultural and environmental stewardship can inform climate adaptation. Their work serves as a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about revitalizing relationships between people and place. Perhaps most impactful was the opportunity to meet with Naka Nathaniel and local community leaders working to address water challenges on Native Hawaiian homelands. Water security is a deeply complex issue, tied not just to climate change but also to historical land and water rights. These discussions highlighted the critical need for equitable water governance that prioritizes community-driven solutions, Indigenous leadership, and long-term resilience planning. Thanks to Amanda Ellis and Jody Kaulukukui for their hospitality and guidance on how ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory can meaningfully collaborate with and support our partners in Hawai‘i. These experiences underscored a pressing question: How do we scale these solutions while ensuring that communities remain at the center of decision-making, even as critical funding sources disappear? As professionals committed to sustainability, we must push for stronger collaborations between academia, policymakers, and industry. We need to accelerate knowledge-sharing and investment in adaptation strategies that are both effective and equitable. If you're working in climate adaptation, what strategies have you found most effective? How can we build stronger bridges between research and action in the absence of federal leadership? Let’s keep this conversation going. #ClimateAdaptation #WaterResilience #Sustainability #IndigenousKnowledge #Collaboration #Hawai‘i

Nonprofit and community leaders, the way we talk about co-creation of solutions with communities is rapidly changing. What might have been acceptable 5 years ago is no longer acceptable today. In the past, organizations might have been able to get away with: - one community workshop - just having evidence that you collected some community input on a decision The expectations are rising. That bare minimum is no longer acceptable. You need to do more to directly engage communities throughout the process to truly consider it a fair and inclusive co-creation process. This can include: 💠Ask community leaders which location and time of day would be preferable for residents 💠Ask community members if they have any additional objectives or needs they want addressed by engagement sessions; combining events can be a better use of time 💠Show community leaders some of the questions you will ask. Get feedback on if the language you are using is engaging and appropriate for that audience 💠Within engagement sessions, give community members choices - a menu of options for them to choose which of those issues is more important for them to discuss There are many other ways to engage communities in the process itself. These are just a few examples. ✨Be creative and think about how communities can truly be partners throughout the co-creation process.✨ What tips would you add to the list? ________________________________ Hi, I'm Elizabeth, founder of a boutique environmental economics consulting firm, Sustainable Economies Consulting, LLC. We help your team gain clarity and have more impact through strategic planning, community engagement, and applied economics research. I'd love to connect with you if you are interested in this type of content!