California Coastal Conservancy Climate Ready Grant Program

The California Coastal Conservancy’s Climate Ready program focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting coastal resources, and preparing communities along the California coast and within the San Francisco Bay for the current and future impacts of climate change. Climate Ready grants fund nature-based solutions for climate adaptation. These grants also seek to support projects located in and benefiting disadvantaged communities. The Coastal Conservancy has $3.8 million available for the 5th round of funding in 2018. Projects in this round will be funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and must facilitate greenhouse gas emission reductions.

This resource was featured in the May 18, 2018, ASAP Newsletter.

"Funded by the state's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the California Coastal Conservancy’s Climate Ready program is offering grants for nature-based solutions for climate adaptation. These grants aim to support local governments and non-governmental organizations to advance planning and implementation of projects that lessen the impacts of climate change, especially within disadvantaged communities."

The Coastal Conservancy provides funding for 'Climate Ready' projects. Climate Ready grants can support a wide range of activities including vulnerability assessments, development, and implementation of adaptation strategies, science-based scenario planning, and demonstration projects that help inform others about successful and cost-effective adaptation strategies. The funded projects are expected to maximize public benefits to the coast while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing hazards that threaten coastal communities or public infrastructure, preserving and enhancing coastal wetlands and other natural lands, conserving biodiversity and providing recreational opportunities that support greenhouse gas reduction goals.

The 2018 Climate Ready grants were funded for the first time by state cap-and-trade proceeds - the greenhouse gas reduction fund (GGRF). In order to meet GGRF’s requirements, projects must support greenhouse gas reductions and, when feasible, include co-benefits, such as investment in disadvantaged communities. 86% of the $3.8 million awarded is going to projects that are located in and benefit disadvantaged communities.

Examples of the kinds of projects eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:

- Nature in Cities ("Projects that create more sustainable and livable communities by improving natural areas and expanding green spaces. These projects can infiltrate stormwater, recharge groundwater, improve water quality, sequester carbon, and enhance the ecological function of creeks, streams, and wetlands. Projects may reduce urban heat island effects, improve air quality, increase walkability, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and create safe public green spaces and trails.")

- Wetland Restoration Projects

- Nature-Based Solutions for Shoreline Protection

Example adaptation pilot projects from the Climate Ready program include the San Pedro Creek Restoration (Pacifica State Beach Managed Retreat), Surfer's Point Managed Retreat Project, and San Francisco Bay Living Shorelines.  Through its Climate Ready Grant rounds, the Conservancy has awarded $7.3 million for 42 projects; as well as the Conservancy is working on dozens of other Climate Ready Projects focused on sea level rise adaptation planning, natural infrastructure, rangeland and agricultural adaptation, carbon sequestration, and urban greening.  

 

 

Publication Date: 2014 - 2018

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