What is the Resilient Futures Initiative?

The Resilient Futures Initiative is a campaign for Central New Mexico’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Planning Program.

The Resilient Futures Initiative brings together diverse stakeholders to address challenges related to climate pollution and extreme weather. Largely funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Program, the initiative seeks to outline a path toward a resilient future for all New Mexicans. By engaging partners, the initiative will work to:  

  • Increase local capacity to plan for, mitigate, and adapt to climate pollution and changing weather patterns,

  • Create community-driven strategic plans that prioritize the health, safety, and resilience of frontline communities, and

  • Inspire action towards shared goals and priorities.

How is this work shaped?

Applying data-informed and community-driven methods, this work seeks to develop strategies and priorities to reduce climate pollution and benefit frontline communities. The following qualitative resources will be a foundation for developing strategies:

  1. Climate Pollution Inventories: Identify sources of pollution and opportunities for reduction.

  2. Risk and Vulnerability Assessments: Identify and prioritize environmental, social, and governmental areas for improvement.

  3. Asset Mapping: Identify existing and potential best practices for improving resilience.

Central to this work is our ability to uplift community voices. The project team will convene policy advisors, a community task force, and participating organizations to charter a path forward toward a more resilient future. The outcome of this engagement will lead to a regional strategic plan that reduces climate pollution and benefits frontline communities and a local network of leaders equipped to build a resilient future for all.

How is the Initiative Supported?

This regional planning effort is supported by City of Albuquerque staff and consultants funded through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Planning Program. The City of Albuquerque Sustainability Office is facilitating this initiative on behalf of the four-county region, including Sandoval, Bernalillo, Valencia, and Torrance Counties. Five other agencies received these funds in New Mexico, including the State of New Mexico, Pueblo of Santa Ana, Pueblo of Sandia, Navajo Nation, and the Pueblo Consortia of Tesuque, Nambe, Picuris, and San Ildefonso. Where appropriate or feasible the grant recipients collaborate on community engagement and strategy selection to mirror, complement, and reflect a coordinated approach.

Staff

Alice Main

City of Albuquerque, Climate Pollution Reduction Manager

ahmain@cabq.gov

Consultants

Project Partners: Will be Announced in 2025

Matt Aranez

National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Equitable Development Fellow

maranez@cabq.gov