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Collaborative Climate Planning

Page created 12/29/23

In April 2023, SNHPC hosted an inaugural regional climate planning workshop at the Derry Municipal Center. The event brought together more than 40 municipal officials, regional stakeholders, and state and national experts to discuss key opportunities for adapting our roadways in the face of climate change. A keynote speaker from the Federal Highway Administration shared remarks that reflect the agency’s commitment to invest in resilience. SNHPC plans to continue hosting similar events to further climate leadership and action in our region. 

2023 Regional Climate Workshop

Climate workshop 2023

The Commission is also systematically advancing climate adaptation and mitigation priorities through coordination with state and federal initiatives. Highlights include:

  • The federal PROTECT program stands for Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation. This program authorizes billions of dollars to help make surface transportation more resilient to natural hazards, including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters.  A Resilience Improvement Plan is an important next step to advance roadway adaptation projects and access PROTECT discretionary grants. While construction projects generally require a 20% non-federal match, if a state DOT or MPO develops a Resilience Improvement Plan and incorporates it into the long-range transportation plan, the local match can be reduced by up to 10%. SNHPC is committed to leading the collaborative development of a regional Resilience Improvement Plan that builds upon the insights found in this Toolkit and identifies priorities for future investment. SNHPC will also collaborate with NHDOT in the development of a Statewide Resilience Improvement Plan.
  • The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program provides $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. NHDES is currently administering a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to support the development of a statewide Climate Action Plan, which will include mitigation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve energy. Simultaneous work is being conducted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to develop a Greater Boston Climate Action Plan, which also encompasses several SNHPC communities within its federally-designated boundary. SNHPC is actively working to coordinate outreach and engagement activities to support both efforts. 

Since climate impacts don’t recognize municipal boundaries, SNHPC embraces its role in advancing regional and statewide collaboration to coordinate effective action - supporting opportunities to streamline efforts and pool resources related to funding, data, public outreach and more. Climate change is already here, and SNHPC is working quickly to support the region in responding.