Climate change is a global challenge, but the impacts are experienced locally. Changes in precipitation, extreme temperatures, sea-level rise, and species shifts place stress on infrastructure, natural resources, and social and economic systems. These same impacts will directly affect public health and healthcare systems. Decisions about zoning, redevelopment, housing, open space, and other investment decisions made by local and regional governments will alter the impacts of climate change on their own and neighboring. Integrating climate change into these decisions and all local and regional planning efforts is imperative to ensure that investments made today are designed to withstand the conditions of tomorrow.
Resilient NJ is an assistance program to support local and regional climate resilience planning. Using the best available science on precipitation, temperature, and sea-level rise, Resilient NJ can help your community plan for how the changing climate may affect residents, businesses, and the natural and built environments in your area.
Local Planning for Climate Change Toolkit at-a-glance
Climate Resilience Planning – Regional Climate Change-Related Hazard Vulnerability Assessment – As part of its ongoing efforts in climate resilience planning, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has announced it is seeking letters of expressed interest in receiving technical assistance to conduct a multi-municipal scale climate change-related hazard vulnerability assessment. The project will develop a regional assessment, as well as individual ones for the municipalities within, that address climate-change related threats as outlined in the 2021 update to the Municipal Land Use Law (P.L. 2021, c. 6, codified at N.J.S.A. 40:55D-28 et seq.). Those applying must be within New Jersey’s coastal zone, as well as participating in the Plan Endorsement process as a region. $760,000 is available through the Resilient NJ program for resilience planning for local governments meeting the above parameters. The project will culminate in an assessment that will advance regional resilience and assist municipalities in updating their master plans and adhering to NJ land-use law.
The deadline to express interest in public assistance for this climate resilience planning opportunity is April 5, 2023. Please find the Request for Expression of Interest here for more information.
Have questions on Request for Expression of Interest? Please view our Question and Answers Document .
Learn more about ongoing and past regional climate resilience planning projects.
Read moreReady to get started on local climate resilience planning? Use DEP’s new Toolkit to help guide your process.
Read moreAccess funding announcements, templates, and other Resilient NJ documents.
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