Assessment of Climate Change Integration in Pennsylvania’s Flood Disaster Planning

Overview

A recent study conducted by Penn State University reveals that communities within Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River watershed are inadequately incorporating climate change considerations into their disaster planning. This shortfall increases vulnerability to flooding caused by more frequent heavy rainfall events, undermining progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Study Findings

1. None of the 40 counties evaluated met the “best practice standard” for climate impact integration in hazard mitigation plans.
2. The “best practice standard” requires:
   • Use of place-specific climate change data.
   • Documentation of chronic flooding hotspots.
   • Inclusion of historical and projected climate-driven flooding impacts.
3. 30% of plans made no reference to climate change or failed to relate it to flooding, the region’s primary hazard.
4. Only a few plans briefly acknowledged climate-driven flooding without detailed analysis or actionable information.

Importance of Climate-Informed Disaster Planning

Virginia Silvis, a climate adaptation postdoctoral scholar, emphasized that actionable climate data is essential for effective disaster preparedness. The lack of detailed climate integration in plans jeopardizes community resilience and contradicts the objectives of SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Policies and Impact

• FEMA mandates approved hazard mitigation plans for eligibility in disaster funding, including flood-control projects.
• Plans must be updated every five years and cover high-risk areas with mitigation strategies.
• In 2023, the Biden administration required inclusion of climate change considerations in these plans, aligning with SDG 13.
• However, this requirement was rescinded under the subsequent administration, removing climate change and equity requirements from FEMA’s guidelines.

Challenges and Political Context

• Political pressures, especially in rural counties, have limited explicit references to climate change in hazard plans.
• Terminology such as “climate change” and “vulnerable populations” can provoke resistance among elected officials and the public.
• Consultant-authored plans tend to include more comprehensive climate information than county-authored plans.

Recent Developments and Best Practices

1. Some counties, including Chester, Dauphin, Lancaster, and Luzerne, nearly met best practice standards but lacked future flooding projections.
2. Counties like York have significantly increased climate change references in their updated plans (from 16 mentions in 2018 to 88 in 2024), demonstrating progress toward SDG 11 and SDG 13.
3. Despite federal rollbacks, local planners express commitment to maintaining climate considerations in future updates.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Enhancing hazard mitigation plans with climate data supports resilient infrastructure and safer communities.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Integrating climate projections into disaster planning is critical to reducing climate-related risks and adapting to changing environmental conditions.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Addressing flood risks protects water quality and sanitation infrastructure from climate-induced damage.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Transparent and inclusive planning processes foster equitable disaster preparedness and response.

Conclusion

The Penn State study underscores a significant gap in climate-informed disaster planning across Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River watershed counties. Strengthening hazard mitigation plans by incorporating detailed, location-specific climate data is essential to advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to climate action and resilient communities. Federal and local agencies must collaborate to provide clear guidance and support for integrating climate change considerations, ensuring communities are better prepared for recurrent flooding events exacerbated by climate change.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article discusses disaster planning and flood protection in Pennsylvania communities, which relates to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The core issue is the inadequate accounting for climate change impacts in disaster planning, emphasizing the need for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Flooding and levee failures impact water management and sanitation, linking to ensuring availability and sustainable management of water.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Discussion of levees and flood-control projects relates to building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation in disaster mitigation.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Coordination between federal agencies (FEMA), local governments, and researchers reflects partnerships necessary for sustainable development.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected by disasters, including water-related disasters.
   • Target 11.b: Increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation, and adaptation to climate change.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems to reduce flooding and other water-related hazards.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Inclusion of Climate Change Information in Hazard Mitigation Plans
   • Percentage of counties with hazard mitigation plans that incorporate place-specific climate change data and chronic flooding hotspots.
   • Number of references to climate change and climate-driven flooding in disaster planning documents.
2. Frequency and Quality of Plan Updates
   • Frequency of updates to hazard mitigation plans (every five years as required by FEMA).
   • Extent to which plans meet “best practice standards” for addressing climate impacts.
3. Flood Risk and Impact Data
   • Documentation and projection of future flooding risks and levee failure probabilities.
   • Identification of chronic flooding hotspots and past flooding impacts.
4. Funding and Implementation Metrics
   • Access to and use of non-emergency disaster funding for flood-control projects linked to approved hazard mitigation plans.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: bayjournal.com