State Identifies Climate Resilience Priorities

Actions focus on strengthening Vermont communities and natural environment in the face of climate change

Montpelier, VT – The State of Vermont has released the Resilience Implementation Strategy, which prioritizes implementation of key state-level actions to reduce the harmful impacts of climate change. In Vermont, climate-related hazards include flooding, landslides, heat waves, drought, wildfire smoke, and declining water quality. The Strategy identifies priority actions that state government can take to help communities become more resilient, support those hardest hit by disasters, and reduce future damage to Vermont’s infrastructure, economy, and natural environment. Virtual public meetings in late October will offer an opportunity for the public to hear directly from state officials about the Strategy.

“Climate change is having significant impacts on Vermont from widespread flooding in 2023 and 2024, to the drought conditions we are currently experiencing,” said Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) Secretary Julie Moore. “The Resilience Implementation Strategy is a comprehensive plan that will guide the work of state government to protect Vermonters and build resilience.”

Strategy development was a joint initiative of Governor Phil Scott and Treasurer Mike Pieciak, led by ANR and a cross-government Steering Committee. Input from Vermonters helped create a Vision for a Resilient Vermont. This vision guided a review of the State of Vermont’s current programs that help build climate resilience.

The review identified more than 300 state-led policies and programs to improve Vermont’s resilience to climate hazards. State officials then selected more than 100 high-priority actions based on their practicality, impact, and urgency.

The Treasurer's Office worked to determine the estimated implementation costs associated with high-priority actions. Several actions recommend regulatory reforms or changes to current governmental practices, while others require more planning to help estimate costs.

Of the listed priorities, the Treasurer's Office measured the cost of over 60 actions, which amount to approximately $270 million in one-time funding and $95 million in ongoing costs year-over-year. Based on these estimated costs, it is clear that greater emphasis on climate resilience work is needed in Vermont.

“The climate crisis is already costing Vermonters, especially in our rural communities,” said Treasurer Pieciak. “Failing to prepare now will cost taxpayers far more in the long run, with studies showing that every dollar invested in climate resiliency today saves six dollars in future disaster-related costs. The Resilience Implementation Strategy lays out a clear path forward for prioritizing these investments to protect our infrastructure, lower costs, and strengthen our economy for the long term.”

Pieciak continued, “Together we have identified steps we can take right now that will have a big impact without a big price tag. These actions put Vermont ahead of the curve, building a more resilient future for taxpayers and our state.”

The Resilience Implementation Strategy builds upon existing partnerships between local and state government, non-profits, and private sector organizations. It focuses on tools available to state government, implementation approaches, and potential funding strategies.

The Strategy’s 100 high-priority actions focus on:

• Empowering municipalities with technical and financial resources to adapt to the impacts of climate change
• Equipping individuals with the information and tools about steps they can take to address climate-related health concerns
• Emphasizing nature-based solutions, leveraging wetlands, floodplain, and upland forests to mitigate flooding and support biodiversity
• Investing in the design, reinforcement, and relocation of our roads, bridges, culverts, and energy systems necessary to become more resilient
• Improving early warning systems and ensuring fast, effective emergency response to climate-related disasters such as flooding and landslides

The Strategy identified a smaller number of priority actions that state agencies and the Treasurer’s Office will be working to implement in the near term, including:

1. Sustained funding for the Flood Resilient Communities Fund, which supports proactive projects that reduce future flood risk.
2. Expanded capacity to conduct dam safety and emergency action tabletop exercises that would improve dam safety in the event of damage or failure.
3. Ensuring no-cost financing is available to Vermont towns immediately following a disaster by reinvesting in the Municipal Climate Resilience Fund.
4. Studies to improve site-specific understanding of shifting riverbeds in high-risk populated areas, which will help identify interventions that could reduce future flood risk.
5. Targeted outreach campaign about the benefits and costs of flood insurance, which could save property owners money after a flood.

To learn more, attend a public meeting on October 23 or 27 or visit the Resilience Implementation Strategy webpage.