Speaker
Description
As climate change accelerates, its effects disproportionately impact vulnerable and historically marginalized populations, amplifying existing social and economic inequalities. Rural and coastal communities, Indigenous nations, and under-resourced regions often lack access to the scientific data, policy frameworks, and institutional support needed to navigate these challenges. The Institute for Engagement & Negotiation (IEN) at the University of Virginia has developed a range of community-driven resilience initiatives that prioritize inclusion, equity, and local knowledge in planning for climate adaptation. This session explores three IEN projects—the Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (RAFT), Climate Collaboratives in Appalachia, and the Eastern Shore of Virginia (ESVA) Livability Hub—each of which employs inclusive planning strategies to center vulnerable populations in climate adaptation efforts.
Each of these projects exemplifies a commitment to inclusivity by embedding equity considerations at every stage of planning, decision-making, and implementation. The RAFT directly engages historically underserved communities and sovereign tribal nations, providing tailored resilience assessments and action plans that reflect their unique priorities and constraints. Climate Collaboratives in Appalachia ensures that rural, economically distressed communities are active participants in shaping their energy futures, positioning renewable energy development as a tool for local empowerment rather than external imposition. The ESVA Livability Hub centers community voices through co-production of knowledge, fostering decision-making processes that integrate local expertise with scientific data to address climate risks. Across all three projects, participatory governance structures—such as community advisory boards, collaborative workshops, and stakeholder-led assessments—serve to democratize resilience planning, ensuring that solutions are not only technically sound but also socially just and community-driven.
By embedding equity within resilience planning, these initiatives create replicable models that empower communities to drive their own adaptation efforts, ensuring that no one is left behind in the response to climate challenges.
| Keywords | community-driven adaptation; equity; community engagement; resilience |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
