(d)2 CLIMATE ADAPTION AND
RESILIENCE PLAN
Transportation and Environment Committee | February 9, 2026 Presenters:
Lori Mitchell, Director, Energy Department
Julie Benabente, Deputy Director, Energy Department
Michael Gonzales, Program Manager, Environmental Services Department 2 TODAY’S AGENDA
1. Background
2. Vulnerability
Assessment
3. Framework and
Measures
4. Engagement and Input
5. Next Steps
6. Recommendation
3 BACKGROUND • City adopted Climate Smart San José (2018, updated 2025) to identify strategies to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions • In June 2023, State awarded the City a ~$650,000 grant to develop a Climate Adaptation
and Resilience Plan (CARP) • Grant Application Partners: • Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water; input) • San Francisco Bay Area Planning and
Urban Research Association (SPUR;
engagement)
4 DISTINGUISHING THIS PLAN
The Climate Adaptation
and Resilience plan
identifies measures and
strategies to reduce
the impact of climate
change on the San
José community
5 PROJECT TIMELINE
Procure consultant/ contracting: Jun 2023 – May 2024
Conduct technical analysis: Jun – Sept 2024
Develop vision and framework: Sept – Nov 2024
Develop measures: Dec 2024 – May 2025
Release of Public Review Draft: Sept – Oct 2025
Develop the final CARP: Oct – Dec 2025
T&E and City Council consideration: Feb 9, 2026, Mar 3, 2026 6 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
What: High-level analysis of how projected climate
hazards may affect the city’s:
• populations
• buildings
• critical facilities
• utility infrastructure
• transportation systems
Purpose: To inform prioritization and the
development of adaptation strategies and measures
7 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT (CONT’D)
Data sources included:
• Silicon Valley 2.0 Climate Change Preparedness Tool
• Federal Emergency Management Agency maps
• Adapting to Rising Tides sea level rise data
• Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and the City of San José Annex
San José Climate Hazards:
• flooding
• more severe drought
• wildfire smoke and events
• sea level rise
• more frequent and extreme
heat waves
8 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT (CONT’D)
Key Findings:
• Flooding is the most impactful hazard to infrastructure and populations, followed by extreme heat and sea level rise • Sea level rise and storm surge pose increasing long-term risks • geographically limited to northern portions of San José • Wildfire risk is geographically limited
• smoke presents a significant public health concern
• Vulnerable populations are disproportionately impacted by extreme heat, air quality, and flooding
Conclusion:
Strategies should focus on facility assessments,
infrastructure upgrades, community engagement, and
resilience measures tailored to vulnerabilities.
9 FRAMEWORK
Focus on Measures: • Within the City’s direct control to implement • Integrate with related City plans and policies • Address infrastructural, community, and ecosystem impacts from climate-related hazards • Address inequities and reduce climate-related impacts to vulnerable communities Knowledge Governance and Policy
Strengthens coordination and integrates
climate resilience into City policies and
processes.
Improves data and analysis to better
understand climate hazards, vulnerabilities, and
risks.
Structural Communications
Enhances information sharing and engagement
to support climate preparedness and resilience.
Reduces physical vulnerabilities through
resilient infrastructure and natural systems.
10 1. Site- and SystemSpecific Vulnerability
Studies (VS)
2. Climate Resilience and
Adaptation Funding (AF)
3. Shoreline Adaptation
Plan (SA)
4. Priority Streets and Trails
(PS)
5. Internal
Collaboration (IC)
6. Agency
Collaboration (AC)
7. Advisory Groups
(AG)
8. CARP Updates (CU)
9. Resilient City
Infrastructure Design
Standards (CD)
10. Resilient Design
Standards for Private
Development (PD)
11. Considerations for
Development in
Hazard-Prone Areas
(DC)
12. Transit Service during
Extreme Events (TE)
CARP MEASURES
11 13. Community-Serving Facility
Upgrades and Resilience Hubs
(RH)
14. Green Stormwater Infrastructure
(GS)
15. Private HVAC Upgrades
(HVAC)
16. Urban Heat Mitigation (UH)
17. Transit Facilities (TF)
18. Climate Adaptation and Resilience
Information (CI)
19. Community-Based Organizations
(CBO)
CARP MEASURES (CONT’D)
12 ENGAGEMENT AND INPUT
Outreach Type Participants / Organizations Date
Agency Interviews Valley Transportation Authority; Pacific Gas & Electric Aug-Sept 2024 Youth Commission; Alviso Neighborhood Group Jan-Feb 2025 Advisory & Community Presentations
Apr 2025-Ongoing Climate Resilient Communities groups in Alviso and East San José
Climate Resilient
Communities Engagement
Community Survey General public Apr-Jun 2025
Tabling Events (7) Community members Spring 2025
Virtual Workshop Community members Apr 18, 2025
Public Comment Period General public and non-governmental organizations Sept 25-Oct 26, 2025 Virtual Open House Community members Oct 14, 2025
Oct 2025 Acterra, Mothers Out Front, Silicon Valley Leadership Group Small Group Meetings
13 ENGAGEMENT AND INPUT (CONT’D)
Climate Ready Working Group
• Included bimonthly meetings with the
following partner and City departments:
• Valley Water
• City Manager’s Office
• Environmental Services
• Office of Emergency Management
• Planning, Building, and Code
Enforcement
• Public Works
• Transportation
14 • Continue current City activities supporting CARP measures including:
• Roosevelt Community Center resiliency hub (grant)
• Subregional shoreline adaptation planning (grant; led by County) • Reducing water demand and/or increase non-potable water sources (South Bay Water Recycling)
• Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Program
Workshop March 18–19, 2026 to advise the City on equitycentered best practices pertaining to CARP implementation (grant)
• Additional implementation efforts will occur over time as the City acquires funding
NEXT STEPS
15 • Recommend the City Council consider and take
action to:
1. Adopt the Climate Adaptation and Resilience
Plan.
2. Approve the incorporation of the Climate
Adaptation and Resilience Plan into annual
Climate Smart updates.
• Cross-reference this item to the March 3, 2026, City
Council meeting for consideration and approval.
RECOMMENDATION
16 Questions?
Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan
webpage:
SJEnvironment.org/CARP