The City has a renewed spirit including positive transformation of our local economy, quality of life, and housing affordability; yet, progress is hindered by climate change. Extensive and thoroughly reviewed scientific research indicates increasing annual temperature and precipitation, seasonal shifts, and changes to the frequency and intensity of extreme weather are as near as the current decade, and residents express they are feeling the impacts of these changes presently. Climate change is a global crisis with widespread impacts that when not addressed amplify the local effects of systemic challenges in communities, posing risks to quality of life, public and individual health, safety, ecosystem health, and prosperity, among other numerous impacts. Buffalo is no stranger to these challenges. To address the impacts of climate change and be responsive to community experiences with climate hazards and vulnerabilities, the City of Buffalo is undertaking a community planning initiative that considers how these systems work to support or hinder the overall sustainability and resilience of the City and direct impacts or benefits to residents. The purpose of this project is to clearly articulate a vision for community resilience in Buffalo that integrates the voices of residents in disadvantaged communities1 (DACs), including those historically underserved, overburdened, or underrepresented, to support adaptation and reduce the overall impact of climate change citywide. See Attachment A for a list and corresponding map of identified DACs in the City of Buffalo. This project, which will include a city-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory and the creation of a community climate action, adaptation, and resilience plan (the “Plan”), is collectively Phase 2 of the City’s Climate Resiliency Planning Initiative (“CRPI”). This RFP is for activities associated with CRPI Phase 2 that will provide the baseline data and metrics necessary to engage in a community-wide effort that supports continuous climate action, and the City applying for silver certification in the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (“DEC”) Climate Smart Communities (“CSC”) Program.2 The Plan will identify opportunities focused on community-oriented climate action, adaptation, and resilience strategies that address local issues related to sustainable community development, equitable service provision, circular economy, just transition, biodiversity and ecological loss, environmental justice, community preparedness, electrification, renewable energy, natural resources, climate-induced migration, and others, applying a collective impact model to facilitate a systems-based approach to community participation and implementation.
