Four major organizations each share the goal of driving this broad leadership movement on community resilience: ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability USA, the National League of Cities, the U.S. Green Building Council and the World Wildlife Fund.
ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability – USA - ICLEI USA’s mission is to build, serve and drive a movement of local governments to advance deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and achieve tangible improvements in local sustainability. As the only global organization helping cities and counties of all sizes achieve sustainability and climate planning goals, ICLEI provides tools and resources, delivers innovative programming, and fosters a robust network of local governments across the U.S. who are catalyzing effective ways to combat climate pollution and scaling local sustainability efforts. The ICLEI international network spans to over 1,000 members in 84 countries, and remains the the leading global association of local governments dedicated to combatting climate pollution. [CONTACT: Brian Holland, Climate Programs Director - brian.holland@iclei.org]
National League of Cities (NLC) - The National League of Cities is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns, and villages, representing over 218 million Americans. The Sustainable Cities Institute at NLC gives guidance, tools, and practices that enable city leaders to learn from one-another and pursue sustainability and resilience goals. [CONTACT: Cooper Martin, Program Director for Sustainability – cmartin@nlc.org or 202-626-7442 ]
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. WWF’s unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - USGBC is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings, and works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities.
A Shared Focus on Resilience
After hearing from their memberships that local resilience was a key priority, they have joined together to create and drive Resilient Communities for America. The campaign is intended to be an inclusive initiative under which additional non-profit organizations, public agencies, and private companies can become partners and offer their own resources and expertise to advance community resilience.Together, the four partners have a reach of nearly 2,100 local governments, 25,000 municipal officials, 200,000 LEED credentialed sustainability professionals, and 1 million environmental activists and concerned citizens.
Additional Partners
The Mayors Innovation Project is a learning network among American mayors committed to the high road of equity, sustainability and democracy. We provide technical assistance to Mayors across the country, and hold twice annual meetings, which allow Mayors and city staff to network and learn from each other in a candid and relaxed setting. The Mayors Innovation Project works on resilience in a number of ways, with a particular focus on resilient infrastructure for energy, water, transportation and food. [CONTACT: Satya Rhodes-Conway, Managing Director, 608-262-5387, satya@mayorsinnovation.org]
The San Diego Foundation’s Climate Initiative supports efforts to deepen community awareness about, and preparedness for, the local impacts of climate change as well as spur regional action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2006, The San Diego Foundation has taken a unique and determined leadership role in preparing the San Diego region for the impacts of climate change. To date, The San Diego Foundation has invested more than $2.5 million in research, public education, technical assistance, nonprofit engagement and collaborative projects that can help governments and communities plan for a changing climate. Key projects in 2014 include releasing the regional Climate Education Partners report, “San Diego, 2050 Is Calling. How Will We Answer?” and supporting ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability to help cities and public agencies proactively prepare for regional climate change through updating the region’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The National Wildlife Federation’s mission Its mission statement is to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future. It is the United States’ largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization, with over four million members and supporters, and 48 state and territorial affiliated organizations. NWF achieves its mission by working with diverse groups to achieve common conservation goals, forming resilient and sustainable solutions to problems facing our environment and wildlife, and focusing on the future of conservation as well as the present, to ensure America’s wildlife legacy lives on.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. We believe that the United States can harness the full potential of energy efficiency to achieve greater economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection for all its people. Energy efficiency is an essential element of community resiliency strategies as it risks reduces to the energy system and can enhance community capacity to mitigate and respond to threats. Efficiency investments can decrease the strain on energy infrastructure, provide backup energy supplies in case of outages, and provide public health, equity, and quality of life benefits.
The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that works closely with leaders to turn big ideas into action to sustain a healthy environment—the foundation of economic opportunity and human well-being. Our U.S. Climate Impacts Initiative works to ensure that policy makers at all levels of government are aware of climate impacts, local efforts to respond and the need for national policy to address the impacts and root causes. The resources generated by this work help increase awareness of climate change impacts among localities throughout the United States. By bridging the climate change communications gap between scientists, decision makers, and the public, this information can supplement local and state efforts to address climate change. [CONTACT: Christina DeConcini, Director of Government Affairs | cdeconcini@wri.org | 202-729-7738]
The Local Government Commission (LGC) has been working since 2010 to develop local adaptation strategies, to inform state adaptation guidance and to strengthen the field of practitioners through national discussions around evaluating success, overcoming obstacles and identifying resource needs. LGC currently serves as the fiscal agent and staff for Sacramento’s Capital Regional Climate Readiness Collaborative and the Alliance of Regional Collaboratives for Climate Adaptation (ARCCA), a peer network of regional adaptation collaboratives from across California. [CONTACT: Kif Scheuer kscheuer@lgc.org]
RC4A Advisory Committee
A Resilience Advisory Committee of local government staff and experts from the academic community and private sector will provide input and direction on the campaign to ensure that it meets the needs of cities and counties and reflects the most contemporary thinking and practice in the field.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Resilient Communities for America is grateful to our campaign sponsors. These companies have demonstrated their generous support and commitment to helping local governments and communities become stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous.
Gold sponsor: Schneider Electric Silver sponsor: Philips