The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) developed the “Climate Resilience Playbook” (“the Playbook”) to to serve as a starting point for municipalities at various stages of preparing for climate impacts.

Communities across Massachusetts are experiencing rapidly intensifying climate change threats, such as rising
temperatures, changes in precipitation, sea level rise and coastal flooding, and severe storms. While specific threats differ by region, across the state, low-income residents, residents of color, and residents with chronic health conditions, limited mobility, and other health and social barriers all face disproportionate impacts and carry heavier burdens caused by climate change.

The Playbook fills in the resource gaps by:
1) providing a framework for actions and step-by-step guidance to help advance planning efforts;
2) outlining how projects can consider existing and historical inequities, such as racial discrimination, and co-lead with community members most impacted to reduce inequities; and
3) offering guidance on tailoring projects based on community type and geography, including recommended solutions that may be more appropriate or applicable for smaller and/or rural communities.

MAPC received funding support from the Barr Foundation, and created the playbook in partnership with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program.

The Playbook includes several mentions of older adults and councils on aging, but could be valuable resources for communities working to become more age and dementia friendly. Conversely, any municipality involved in climate resilience planning has an opportunity to engage older adults in their city or town.