Climate Resilience Playbook: Implementation Guidance and Resources for Massachusetts Municipalities

Cities and towns across Massachusetts play a key role in helping their communities get ready for the impacts of climate change. That includes protecting important community spaces, buildings. and systems, and most importantly, listening to and lifting up the voices of people most affected.

The Climate Resilience Playbook is not a strict rulebook—it’s a guide full of ideas, tools, and examples from other Massachusetts communities who’ve tried different approaches and learned from them. The Playbook is meant to grow and improve over time, and we welcome suggestions. If you have ideas or feedback, just scroll to the bottom of the Playbook website and use the “Feedback” form.

How to Use the Playbook

The website has two main sections:

• Playbook Actions: This is a searchable list of 100+ actions cities and towns can take to build climate resilience. About 20 of the actions, which were identified as particularly important or impactful, also have implementation blueprints. Implementation blueprints outline key considerations and implementation steps. You can select filter by relevant tags, such as priority climate threat or housing, to find the actions most relevant for your community.
• Planning Resources: This section explains how the Playbook was created, shares ideas on working community partners, and offers more in-depth information and support.

Who should use the Playbook?

• Municipal governments: The Playbook is mainly for city and town staff and committees looking for guidance on how to take climate action locally.
• Community Partners: While local governments may initiate many of these projects, they are most effective when co-designed by and co-led with community partners, especially those most affected by climate change and community groups with deep knowledge and experience.