There appears to be a widespread impression that responses to the threats of climate change are exclusively a federal problem. But a recently released report from the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), points out that the feds aren’t the only level of government that must be involved in meaningful solutions.

Adapting infrastructure to climate change is fundamentally a local government issue because the potential impact is site-specific, local governments are primary responders to their communities' needs, and local governments have authority over land use.

As the report states, “The magnitude and scope of climate change response necessitate partnerships across local, state, and federal governments.”

How can local governments create these kinds of partnerships? The report recommends that “First, states can facilitate interlocal partnerships by creating legal frameworks, supporting the creation of durable institutions, building local capacity, and incentivizing collaboration. Second, large projects usually require access to multiple funding and financing sources. State and federal programs can support a wide range of activities, while public-private partnerships can mitigate the costs and risks faced by any one local government.”

Of course this isn’t easy. “In many functional and policy areas, local governments operate independently by default,” says the report. “Establishing a multi-jurisdictional, multi-sectoral, and multidisciplinary partnership is complex. Institutional inertia—pressure to preserve the status quo, avoid taking proactive steps, and resist giving up control—can undermine exploring and establishing partnerships. The pressure arising from political and value-based differences can be formidable.”

How can local governments overcome these challenges? The report argues that states can hep them in a variety of ways including by making efforts to:

• “Support local investment in efficiency-increasing tools such as information and communication technology, performance measurement systems, data-driven decision making, analytical frameworks, and streamlined regulatory frameworks.”

• “Develop relationships and lines of communication with potential and established partners long before disasters occur. Include non-profit and private organizations, which are critical in addressing large-scale challenges. 

• “Build local capacity through communication, training, relationship-building, and information sharing about mutual issues.” 

• “Ease the administrative burden by developing governance frameworks, creating model documents, developing checklists, streamlining processes, providing technical assistance, and establishing collaborative purchasing options equally applicable to large and small localities. “

• “Lay the groundwork for effective collaboration with local officials and pursue joint funding opportunities to address multi-jurisdictional issues.” 

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