The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the launch of a new website, the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Funding Toolbox (CRAFT), on September 11, 2024. This resource aims to assist technical assistance providers working with federal funding applicants and recipients in developing, applying for, and implementing climate-resilient investments. The website offers resources to help users consider climate adaptation and resilience throughout the process of applying for EPA funding opportunities.
“This summer, communities across the nation have experienced more frequent and intense wildfires, heat waves, floods, droughts and other extreme weather events,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. “These events often lead to billion-dollar disasters and can threaten public health and the social, environmental and economic fabric of our communities. This new toolbox will support EPA’s collaboration with technical assistance providers, who have the expertise and reach to help states, Tribes, communities, and others proactively invest in climate resilience.”
“Communities across the nation face increasing impacts of climate change. Investing in climate-smart projects and proactively managing climate change risks can help build local resilience while achieving other community goals,” said Vicki Arroyo, Associate Administrator for EPA’s Office of Policy. “CRAFT can help technical assistance providers facilitate conversations with federal funding applicants and recipients about the resilience of their projects before and after funding is secured.”
EPA is taking significant steps to ensure its programs and funding applicants invest in projects that can withstand the impacts of climate change. CRAFT serves as a resource for technical assistance providers guiding investments of federal funding—including historic funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act—towards local solutions that deliver results despite changing climatic conditions.
Materials provided in CRAFT include:
- Program overviews of EPA’s financial assistance programs where climate-safe investment opportunities are available.
- Climate risk tools and decision support resources that inform project development, design, and implementation.
- Communications materials to facilitate discussions about adaptation, resilience, and environmental justice.
- Resources on how to perform targeted community engagement efforts effectively when implementing climate-smart projects.
- Definitions of common terms used during technical assistance consultations, engagement efforts, and project proposal development.
The information within CRAFT helps federal funding applicants consider climate-related challenges at the outset so taxpayer dollars are invested wisely. It also supports developing projects that advance multiple policy goals such as achieving local flood resilience or adopting nature-based infrastructure solutions.
With CRAFT's introduction, interested parties can navigate EPA’s funding opportunities more easily while considering climate resilience as part of their investments. The platform also encourages meaningful engagement with community members throughout project lifespans.
Background
In alignment with the Biden-Harris Administration’s vision for a climate-resilient nation outlined in the National Climate Resilience Framework (pdf), federal agencies are leveraging their programs to encourage resilient investments while managing financial risks associated with climate change. The Office of Management and Budget's Memorandum M-24-03 directs all federal agencies to consider climate effects in infrastructure investment decisions.
Since 2021, EPA’s Climate Adaptation Plans have committed to encouraging resilient investments through its programs. To advance these priorities further internally within its financial assistance programs—and externally among applicants—the Resilient Infrastructure Subgroup on Climate has been supporting both sectors' efforts towards building local resilience effectively using federal resources.
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