Climate change adaptation: what Federal agencies are doing

This report attempts to capture and highlight the Federal agencies' effort in "mainstreaming" consideration of climate change adaptation across their programs and policies and their leadership role in enabling others - state, local and tribal governments, businesses, and communities - in their adaptation planning and projects. It intends to represent the federal department or agency that have implemented institutional mechanisms specifically for climate change adaptation, developed an agency‐wide adaptation plan or set of policies, or provides adaptation resources or tools, including for the reduction of 'natural' and man‐made disaster. It aims to facilitate communication and collaboration across them as well as with numerous non‐federal stakeholders focused on domestic adaptation policy.

Its content is organized by major Department within the Federal government (e.g., the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, etc.) with the exception of the adaptation efforts led by the Executive Office of the President and related inter-agency initiatives, which are listed separately at the beginning of the report. For each Department, the report highlights specific adaptation initiatives (such as a program office or strategic plan) that are in place at the Department level. These are followed by an overview of each agency or bureau within that Department and relevant adaptation activities, which are typically divided into: (1) initiatives and strategies, (2) programs and institutional mechanisms, and (3) tools and resources. The Figure on the following page provides some examples of mainstreaming activities within the Departments that are included in this report.