BROWARD COUNTY, FL - The County hosted the 14th Annual Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit where some of the most recognized leaders on climate action internationally and nationally joined local officials, business leaders, climate scientists and nonprofit organizations for a two-day program to discuss strategies to address the causes and impacts of climate change. The Summit takes place yearly as a collaboration between Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Monroe Counties, under the auspice of the Four-County Climate Compact (Compact), specifically to help work together and mitigate the Southeast Florida climate crisis.

Eight hundred people attended including students from Broward County Schools, and speakers from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Brazil and Japan to discuss everything from reducing flood risks to net zero energy strategies and housing and community development.

"We have arrived at a point of full engagement, where the importance and responsibilities of climate action sit with all of us," said County Commissioner Beam Furr, who serves as Co-Chair of the Prosperity Partnership's Resilience Committee and the Broward County Climate Change Task Force. "But what is most important is to seize the opportunity for leadership and innovation. The level of engagement in this year's Summit is evidence that we are on the right path."

The 2022 Summit marked Broward County's fourth time hosting the Compact Annual Summit which was organized by the Resilient Environment Department with the financial support of 57 sponsors. Broward has become a leader in the climate change space for taking proactive measures in all areas of resilience planning and investment, including engagement of the private sector. The efforts of the Compact have had state-wide influence, encouraging the formation of similar collaboratives across the state, while providing models for future conditions planning.

Vice Mayor Nan Rich led the panel conversation on affordable housing and development, and the additional pressures presented by climate change. "Broward County has gone from having an Affordable Housing Crisis to an Affordable Housing Catastrophe," said Rich. "With home prices and rents reaching all-time highs. We need to build a resilient community where our residents can afford to live sustainably, regardless of income."

Coincident with this year's Summit was the release of the Compact's Third Regional Climate Action Plan (RCAP 3.0) which provides a voluntary framework designed to align, guide and support the acceleration of local and regional climate action to realize a healthy, prosperous, more equitable and resilient, low-carbon region. Each of the Compact Counties is expected to present the RCAP for approval in the coming weeks as the foundation for organized efforts over the next five years. Municipal officials will similarly be invited to participate in adoption and implementation efforts in continuation of the region's shared climate strategies.

Resilient Environment Department

Broward County's Resilient Environment Department is responsible for advancing the resilience of our community through diverse environmental, planning, housing, regulatory and community-oriented programs. The Department is charged with leading planning efforts and steering projects to urgently mitigate climate change and its impacts, including measures to advance clean energy solutions, address the local impacts of sea-level rise, reduce emissions, and protect against economic inequities. By implementing these actions, Broward County offers a greener, more sustainable, and climate-resilient community. For more information, follow us on Facebook, email resilience@broward.org or call 954-357-6663.

December 13, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT
Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Chief Resilience Officer, Deputy Director
Resilient Environment Department 
954-519-1464
jjurado@broward.org