Climate Assessment,
Science, and Research
California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment, research priorities, and tools.
California is already experiencing the impacts of climate change. In the last decade, Californians have endured severe droughts, floods, historic wildfires, rising seas, and record temperatures all driven by climate change. Building resilience to these impacts requires sustained investment in climate change research and science.
the Assessment, Science, & Research
California Climate Change Assessments
Public Resources Code 71340 (Senate Bill 1320, Stern, 2020) calls on the State, through the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program (ICARP), to advance action-based science by developing California Climate Change Assessments at least every five years. Previous Assessments (2006, 2009, 2012, 2018) contributed to a growing understanding about the impacts of climate change in California and offer communities and decision-makers the tools to take action.
Building on the strong foundation set by previous Assessments, the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LUCI) is leading implementation of California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment (Fifth Assessment) in partnership with the California Energy Commission, California Natural Resources Agency, and California Strategic Growth Council.
California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment
Leveraging diverse expertise throughout the state, the Fifth Assessment will contribute to the scientific foundation for understanding climate-related vulnerability throughout California. It will support on-the-ground implementation and decision-making at the local, regional, tribal, and state levels, focusing on the needs of communities most vulnerable to climate change impacts.
Fifth Assessment Implementation Timeline
