State Policy Variation in Coastal Climate Action Planning

• In Event: State and Local Energy and Climate Governance

Abstract

In the absence of sustained federal climate legislation, states and local governments have become the primary architects of local climate policy in the United States. Yet federal agencies provide funding through programs like the EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG), while states simultaneously impose their own planning mandates and support structures. The result is substantial variation in whether coastal counties develop climate action plans and how integrated those plans are in addressing both mitigation and adaptation. This variation reflects the differences in state policy infrastructure, regional governance capacity, and the intergovernmental frameworks that connect federal incentives to local action. This study examines how state policy systems and federal initiatives influence the adoption and content of climate action plans across 290 coastal counties in 22 states. The research asks: How do state policy requirements, federal incentive programs, and intergovernmental networks shape coastal counties' adoption of climate action plans and the degree to which those plans integrate adaptation and mitigation measures? The study draws on a systematic document inventory and content analysis using the Urban Climate Change Integration Index, which scores plan integration on a scale from 0 to 10 (early-stage integrators), 11 to 20 (moderate integrators), and 20+ (advanced integrators). Initial findings reveal stark state-level variation. 212 of the 290 counties (73%) have at least one CAP-related document with notable geographic disparities. Pacific Coast counties show 93% adoption rates while Gulf Coast counties lag at 54%, despite acute exposure to hurricanes and sea level rise. Adoption ranges from 0% in Alabama to 100% in California, New Jersey, and Mississippi, with significant correlation to state policy capacity. Network membership predicts adoption: 82% of intergovernmental network members have plans, compared with 56% of non-members.   Preliminary content analysis suggests that coastal plans emphasize mitigation (greenhouse gas reduction, buildings, transportation, clean energy) over adaptation, though adaptation-focused strategies appear in regional plans such as Southeast Florida's Compact. This variation partly reflects external drivers: EPA CPRG-funded plans consistently include justice and equity frameworks, while state-mandated resilience elements shape structure in others. These findings point to state policy capacity, not local climate vulnerability alone, as the critical determinant of climate planning resources reaching local jurisdictions. The strong association between network participation and plan adoption suggests regional coalitions are essential mechanisms for expanding local planning capacity. Disparities in adoption and content across coasts and states raise equity concerns in climate preparedness and underscore the need for targeted federal and state support for under-resourced coastal regions.

Author

• Praise Ayotola Ayinla, Clemson University
  Presenting Author