Proactively identifying those most vulnerable to climate change impacts

Los Angeles County Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA)

Los Angeles, CA

With the County of Los Angeles Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA), Buro Happold led a team to proactively identify the people, places, and systems most vulnerable to escalating climate change impacts.

This comprehensive study assessed the populations that are vulnerable due to factors such as age, income level, or pre-existing health conditions, as well as hazards to the physical infrastructure and the cascading impacts that occur when these infrastructure systems are disrupted. The CVA process, through a combined qualitative and quantitative approach, highlighted the voices, stories, and experiences of frequently excluded, highly vulnerable groups. An interactive mapping tool allows stakeholders to explore how the study’s vulnerability data applies to different communities and to inform action for unincorporated areas and the county’s 88 cities.

Challenge

The climate vulnerability assessment stems from the county’s successful sustainability plan, also led by Buro Happold. “This is an important first step in implementing the OurCounty Sustainability Plan, and it is a foundation for the County and cities preparing for climate change and creating plans that will help protect the most vulnerable people, places, and systems,” says Gary Gero, Chief Sustainability Officer for the County of Los Angeles.

Solution

The OurCounty Sustainability Plan set a vision for regional climate leadership and collaboration rooted in equity and resilience. The new countywide climate vulnerability assessment (CVA) and the accompanying mapping tool deliver actionable insights for social and physical vulnerabilities that will benefit not only unincorporated county areas but also its 88 cities. The analysis will serve as the foundation for adaptation planning efforts and help communities prepare for the increasing impacts of climate change.

Value

With extensive knowledge on climate change impacts and resilience efforts, the Los Angeles County CVA team included leader Buro Happold. Also on the team was Climate Resolve, which led the stakeholder engagement process, Jessica Ruvinsky with Bellwether Collaboratory, who led the cascading impacts analysis, and several advisors including energy and infrastructure specialist Mikhail Chester, and the sustainability and equity expert Natalie Donlin-Zappella.

The Los Angeles County Climate Vulnerability Assessment report and mapping tool are available on the County’s website here.

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The Los Angeles County Climate Vulnerability Assessment comprehensively identifies the disproportionate impact a changing climate has on different communities in the county, as well as the challenges posed by climate hazards such as extreme heat, drought, wildfire, sea level rise and flooding.”

Sabrina Bornstein
Head of Climate Resilience at Buro Happold
Former deputy chief resilience officer in the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s office