Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact Earns NACo's Annual Achievement Award

For immediate release: June 15, 2011
Contact: Jon Van Arnam, 355-2740

Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties have been jointly recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) as co-recipients of this year’s annual achievement award for shared efforts in implementing the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact (SFRCCC).

NACO’s annual achievement award program began in 1970 to recognize innovative county government programs. Awards are given in 21 different categories including environmental protection, children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, information technology, and health.

The four-county compact was created following the October 2009 Southeast Florida Climate Leadership Summit to work collaboratively on the shared challenges of global climate change. The landmark agreement was fully ratified in January 2010 with the partner counties agreeing to work with federal and state agencies on climate-related policy issues, development of a Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Action Plan, and annual participation in regional summits to mark progress.

Compact counties have since completed several key work products including a regional greenhouse gas emissions inventory and a preliminary assessment of areas at risk to increased flooding with due to sea level. Concurrent efforts include development of regional climate mitigation and adaptation measures in the areas of land use, regional transportation, and the built environment.

Partner agencies to the SFRCCC include the South Florida Water Management District, Florida Atlantic University’s Climate and Energy Program, the University of Oregon’s Climate Leadership Initiative, and Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI).

Many federal agencies have also played supporting roles, including the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The third annual Southeast Florida Climate Leadership Summit is scheduled for October 2011 in Monroe County with efforts underway to finalize the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Action Plan by early 2012.