Massachusetts unveils plan to protect communities from sea level rise – WGBH

Report on Massachusetts’ “ResilientCoasts” Initiative and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Strategic Overview

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has released a comprehensive 144-page report, “ResilientCoasts,” detailing a strategic framework to protect its coastal communities from accelerating sea-level rise. This initiative represents a critical step in state-led climate adaptation, directly supporting the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) by strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.

The plan, developed with input from stakeholders across the state’s 1,500-mile coastline, establishes a foundation for state leadership to support and accelerate local and regional resilience efforts through the 2070s. This collaborative approach embodies the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), fostering effective public and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Core Objectives and Projected Climate Impacts

The “ResilientCoasts” plan is designed to address significant environmental threats, including a projected sea-level rise of 1.3 feet by 2040 and 4.3 feet later this century. The initiative’s primary objectives are to create safer, more resilient communities, directly contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

• Streamline access to funding for towns and regional bodies.
• Enhance data sharing and coordination of resilience projects.
• Implement measures to protect property and strengthen critical infrastructure.
• Reduce economic losses and protect human lives from water-related disasters, in line with Target 11.5.

Key Recommendations and SDG Linkages

The report outlines several key actions, each aligning with specific SDGs to ensure a holistic approach to sustainable development.

1. Infrastructure and Ecosystem Resilience: The plan advocates for strengthening physical infrastructure and preserving natural defenses.
   • Preserving natural buffers like salt marshes supports SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by protecting coastal and marine ecosystems.
   • Elevating houses and reinforcing infrastructure contributes to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by building resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding climate impacts.
2. Economic Justification for Proactive Investment: The report underscores the financial imperative for immediate action.
   • Research indicates that every dollar invested in resilience can yield approximately $13 in benefits and avoided recovery costs.
   • Delaying action risks losing up to $33 in future economic activity for every dollar not invested. This economic framework supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by protecting local businesses, livelihoods, and long-term economic stability.
3. Mandatory Flood Risk Disclosure: A central recommendation is the legal requirement for home sellers and landlords to disclose a property’s flood risk and history.
   • This measure promotes transparency and empowers residents to make informed decisions, advancing the goal of safe and sustainable housing under SDG 11.
   • It provides crucial protection for vulnerable populations, including those in lower-level apartments, thereby addressing social equity and contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty) by preventing disaster-induced financial shocks.

Implementation and Legislative Action

The successful implementation of the “ResilientCoasts” recommendations is contingent upon legislative action. Key components of the plan, including the flood disclosure mandate, must be passed into law by the state Legislature. These measures are currently under consideration within the Mass Ready Act, a resilience bill proposed by the Healey administration. The engagement with organizations such as the Massachusetts Realtors Association indicates a multi-sectoral approach to developing effective and practical regulations.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article focuses on protecting coastal communities in Massachusetts from the impacts of sea-level rise and flooding. It discusses measures to make these communities safer and more resilient, such as strengthening infrastructure, elevating houses, and preserving property. The “ResilientCoasts” plan is a direct effort to ensure the long-term sustainability and safety of these human settlements.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • This is the central theme of the article. The entire “ResilientCoasts” plan is a climate adaptation strategy. It directly addresses the need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, specifically by strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards like sea-level rise and intense precipitation events.
3. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • The article mentions a specific strategy to “preserving natural buffers like salt marshes.” Salt marshes are critical coastal ecosystems that protect shorelines and support marine biodiversity. This recommendation directly aligns with the goal of conserving and sustainably using marine and coastal ecosystems to enhance their resilience.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article highlights the collaborative nature of the “ResilientCoasts” plan. It mentions that the state aims to “support and accelerate local and regional coastal resilience efforts,” received “input from stakeholders in seaside communities,” and requires legislative action (the “Mass Ready Act”) to be implemented. This demonstrates a multi-stakeholder approach involving state, regional, and local governments, as well as community members, to achieve a common goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses…caused by disasters, including water-related disasters…” The article directly supports this by aiming to “protect property,” “prevent costly damage,” and help “people and local businesses stay safe.” The economic argument that “every dollar put into resilience can yield about $13 in benefits and avoided recovery costs” is a clear reference to reducing economic losses.
   • Target 11.b: “By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards…adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters…” The “ResilientCoasts” plan is a prime example of such an integrated plan for the entire Massachusetts coastline, aiming to coordinate projects and accelerate local resilience efforts.
2. Under SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The entire article is about this target. The “ResilientCoasts” plan is a comprehensive strategy to build resilience against sea-level rise and flooding, which are identified as worsening climate-related hazards.
3. Under SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience…” The recommendation to preserve “natural buffers like salt marshes” is a direct action aimed at protecting and strengthening the resilience of coastal ecosystems to mitigate the impacts of sea-level rise.
4. Under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.14: “Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.” The plan aims to make it “easier for towns and regions to access funding, share data and coordinate projects,” which is a direct effort to create a coherent policy framework for coastal resilience across different levels of government. The proposed “Mass Ready Act” further solidifies this policy coherence.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Economic Resilience and Loss Avoidance (Target 11.5)
   • The article provides a specific financial metric: “every dollar put into resilience can yield about $13 in benefits and avoided recovery costs.” This ratio can be used as an indicator to measure the economic effectiveness of the resilience investments made under the plan.
2. Policy Implementation and Adoption (Target 11.b & 17.14)
   • An indicator is the adoption of new regulations. The article specifically mentions the recommendation to require “home sellers and landlords to disclose their properties’ flood risk.” The successful passage and implementation of this requirement, and the broader “Mass Ready Act,” would be a key indicator of progress.
3. Climate Hazard Projections (Target 13.1)
   • The report uses specific climate projections as a basis for planning: “sea levels to rise about 1.3 feet above 2008 levels by 2040, and 4.3 feet later this century.” Progress can be measured by how well the implemented infrastructure and policies are designed to withstand these projected levels of sea-level rise.
4. Ecosystem Protection (Target 14.2)
   • While not quantified, the action of “preserving natural buffers like salt marshes” implies an indicator. Progress could be measured by the total area (in acres or miles) of salt marshes and other natural buffers that are protected or restored as a result of the plan’s implementation.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wgbh.org