As climate change accelerates and extreme weather events become more frequent, state and local governments across the United States are revising outdated policies to better prepare communities and infrastructure for the future. The Climate Adaptation Forum brings together experts, policymakers, and practitioners for an event titled From Barriers to Blueprints: Evolving Environmental Regulations for a Resilient Future. The program highlights innovative regulatory approaches and presents case studies, including New Jersey’s overhaul of land-use policies, Cape Cod’s climate-focused regional plan, and Vermont’s Flood Safety Act.
Many environmental regulations were created decades ago without considering the realities of climate change. Speakers at the forum explore how proactive jurisdictions are integrating climate adaptation into permitting, zoning, and design standards. Discussions emphasize the creation of enforceable frameworks that address shifting coastlines, changing floodplains, and uncertain climate futures. The event features a lineup of speakers and panelists, including:
- Shannon Hulst, CFM, Deputy Director, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension & Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant
- Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- Heather McElroy, Natural Resources Program Manager, Cape Cod Commission
- Lauren Oates, Director of External Affairs in Vermont, The Nature Conservancy
The forum is co-chaired by experts from leading organizations, including the Woods Hole Group, Kleinfelder, and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game. The Climate Adaptation Forum is supported by major sponsors and partners for the 2025–26 period, including the Barr Foundation, Eversource, Fuss & O’Neill, HDR, BSC Group, CDM Smith, Weston & Sampson, VHB, Woods Hole Group, Conservation Law Foundation, and the Union of Concerned Scientists. For more information or to register, visit the Climate Adaptation Forum website.
(Source: Climate Adaptation Forum. (2025, September 24). From barriers to blueprints: Evolving environmental regulations for a resilient future. Environmental Business Council of New England, UMass Boston Sustainable Solutions Lab, & Climate Adaptation Forum.)
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