Coastal adaptation: A framework for governance and funding to address climate change

This report highlights key recommendations from the Regional Plan Association’s Fourth Regional Plan for the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut metropolitan area, focusing on climate change adaptation plans, standards, funding and capacity in coastal areas on a regional basis.

In particular, the report calls for the creation of a Regional Coastal Commission (RCC), which would be empowered to maintain a dedicated focus on the region’s climate adaptation needs, help mobilize the region’s resources to address them, coordinate strategies and develop common standards. It would also prioritize funding that can be used for region-wide resilience projects. It also proposes establishing new dedicated resources from adaptation trust funds to be established in each state to support the RCC in achieving its mission. Finally, it proposes measures to guide the governance of the RCC across the Tri-State area.