Creating a Resilient, Low-Carbon Economy
Since 2008, regional GDP has grown by 96 percent while total region-wide emissions have declined more than 15 percent. The states, cities, and province in the PCC continue to demonstrate that leading on climate policy and driving economic growth are not mutually exclusive: low carbon economies can thrive and lead the world in attracting investors, businesses, job-seekers, and residents. At the same time, the Pacific Coast is facing increasing climate impacts, including extreme heat, wildfire, and smoke. PCC partners are working together to strengthen resilience across the region by coordinating on shared challenges, exchanging best practices, and advancing solutions that protect communities and critical infrastructure. Through focused working groups and regional collaboration, PCC supports efforts to reduce emissions, build climate resilience, and foster a clean, modern, and robust economy.
HIGHLIGHTS
Strengthening Climate Resilience
Climate change has already caused unprecedented wildfires and intensified natural disasters on the Pacific Coast. A 2002 PCC report on the Costs and Benefits of Climate Resilience on the Pacific Coasts outlines the “business case” for making investments in infrastructure, social systems and governance to preserve lives, protect cultural resources, enhance natural habitats and strengthen the economy of our region in a changing climate. Here is also a brief infographic that summarizes the report. This report was spurred by the PCC’s 2021 Framework for Collaborative Action, which charted an implementation roadmap for coordinated work among PCC and other regional partners to add value to climate resilience initiatives. In 2018, the Declaration on Climate Resilience, committed PCC partners to strengthening the resilience of our states, province, and local communities. Through coordinated knowledge exchange, strategic planning, and collaborative implementation, the PCC is committed to establishing the region as a model of innovation that fosters resilience in the face of a changing climate, sustains thriving communities, fosters equity, and creates jobs and new economic opportunities.
Wildfire & Smoke
The Pacific Coast Collaborative’s Wildfire & Smoke Working Group brings together state, provincial, and local partners to coordinate regional approaches to wildfire resilience and smoke preparedness. As wildfire events become more frequent and severe across the West Coast, the group focuses on sharing strategies to protect public health, improve air quality, and strengthen community resilience. The working group provides a forum for jurisdictions to exchange lessons learned, align on best practices, and identify opportunities for collaboration across areas such as smoke preparedness and response, indoor air quality, public communication, and protection of vulnerable populations. By fostering coordination across agencies and sectors, the group supports more consistent and effective responses to wildfire smoke impacts across the region.
Extreme Heat
The Pacific Coast Collaborative’s Extreme Heat Working Group convenes partners across the region to address the growing risks of extreme heat to public health, infrastructure, and communities. As heat events become more frequent and intense, the group focuses on advancing coordinated, equitable approaches to heat preparedness, response, and long-term resilience. Through regular information exchange and collaborative discussions, the working group explores topics such as building and energy resilience, cooling strategies, public health interventions, workforce protections, and community-based solutions. The group also highlights emerging research and best practices to help jurisdictions better understand heat impacts and implement effective, scalable solutions. Regional collaboration is critical to addressing extreme heat, which often intersects with other hazards like wildfire smoke and disproportionately affects vulnerable population
