Program on the Environment

As the impacts of climate change intensify, local governments are increasingly adopting climate policies as a tool to protect both communities and the environment. However, adequate protection requires jurisdictions to implement stronger, more effective policies, which often demands coordinated effort. This collaboration can be impeded when jurisdictions of various population size, geographic location, and resources struggle with developing their own policies. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine the barriers that prevent local jurisdictions from engaging in more effective collaborative climate action and realistic strategies to overcome them. This research with Pierce County Planning and Public Works compiled and analyzed over 2,000 climate policies from planning documents of 22 jurisdictions in Pierce County, Washington, and conducted interviews and surveys with staff and elected officials regarding climate policy implementation. Scholarly literature researching climate action in areas outside of Pierce County supplemented this research. Findings showed that the biggest barriers to policy implementation are staff capacity, financial constraints, and weak policy language. Some ways to improve collaboration are by establishing centralized leadership, providing technical support, and facilitating regular information sharing. House Bill 1181 requires jurisdictions like Pierce County to improve their response to climate change by implementing more climate-centered policies, a trend that will likely be seen more in future legislation nationwide. Thus, jurisdictions must learn to create effective policies to achieve successful adaptation and mitigation—efforts that hinge on collaborative climate action.