ResilientMass is Massachusetts' cross-government initiative for reducing risks and building resilience to natural hazards and local impacts of climate change, and encompasses the state’s climate adaptation and resilience planning, programs, and partnerships.
Through the ResilientMass initiative, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) in partnership with the MA Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is taking a whole-of-government approach to developing metrics that measure and evaluate progress in implementing the ResilientMass Plan and guide related strategies for climate resilience funding and action.
The metrics will assess progress toward building environmental, social, physical, and economic resilience to climate change, with a focus on advancing environmental justice and equity within the process and outcomes. The metrics will link priority impacts identified in the 2022 Climate Change Assessment and 2023 ResilientMass Plan to actions that are intended to reduce these impacts.
Employing the metrics will enable EEA and the ResilientMass Action Team to determine the effectiveness of state-led actions in decreasing climate vulnerability, centering environmental justice, and increasing climate resilience along multiple dimensions. The metrics will also inform future Massachusetts state-led efforts and funding for preparing for, responding to, and reducing the impacts of climate change.
Development of Climate Resilience Metrics for Massachusetts State-Led Actions
The ResilientMass Metrics will include process-based and outcome-based resilience goals and metrics, developed in consultation with state agencies, community partners, subject matter experts, and the public.
Metrics Framework Components
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Sectors | Groupings of goals, indicators, and metrics that address similar themes |
| Goals | Describe what a Massachusetts resilient to climate change would look like; highlight priority impacts that need to be addressed in order to succeed |
| Indicators | Statements that could point to (indicate) success or progress; often includes a direction (e.g., more/less, increased/decreased) |
| Metrics | Measurable (quantitatively) or trackable (qualitatively) outcomes that represent an indicator (or multiple indicators); |
| EJ & Other Priority Populations | Environmental Justice populations according to definition in MA statute; People and communities disproportionately impacted by climate change; Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples |
The set of metrics developed under this initiative includes seven interrelated sectors with cross-cutting elements of environmental justice and equity.
When the project is complete in early 2025, the framework and metrics will be publicly accessible on the ResilientMass website.
Stakeholder and Public Engagement
Equity Advisory Group
EEA has convened an Equity Advisory Group (EAG) representing diverse geographies, perspectives, and lived experience—who are also deeply engaged in climate action within their communities. This group:
- Provides input on the process and engagement used to develop ResilientMass Metrics.
- Provides input to strengthen environmental justice- and equity-related metrics incorporated within the framework to make outcomes more equitable.
EAG members
Note that members are participating in their individual capacities, rather than as representatives of the organizations with which they are affiliated.
Name - Affiliation(s), member's municipality of residence (region)
atalanta - Finca Luna Búho, North Berkshires (Berkshires & Hilltowns)
Tony Beattie - Robinwood Farm, North Central Climate Change Coalition, Pepperell (Northeast)
Valinda Chan - Eastie Mothers Out Front, East Boston (Greater Boston)
Guillermo Creamer, Jr. - Worcester Human Rights Commission, Miyawaki Forest Project, Worcester (Central Region)
David Lowry - Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, University of Southern Maine, Heller School at Brandeis University, Cambridge (Greater Boston)
Rusty Polsgrove - Arise Springfield, Springfield (Greater Connecticut River Valley)
Jason Steiding - Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Cape Cod (Southeast)
Francelis Morillo Suarez - Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Lawrence (Northeast)
Joy Yakie - Acadia Center, Jamaica Plain (Greater Boston)
Public Meetings
EEA held two public meetings to share information about the project and solicit input on the draft metrics. The first public meeting was held on May 30, 2024, where participants had the opportunity to discuss what a climate resilient future could look like in different sectors, as well as considerations to ensure that climate resilience efforts are advanced equitably in MA.
The second public meeting was held on October 15, 2024, where participants reviewed the proposed framework and shared their thoughts about the draft metrics prioritized by sector.
Recordings of public meetings are currently available for public view.
ResilientMass Metrics Initiative Public Meeting - May 30, 2024
Video: ResilientMass Metrics Initiative Public Meeting - May 30, 2024
Skip this video ResilientMass Metrics Initiative Public Meeting - May 30, 2024.ResilientMass Metrics Initiative Public Meeting - October 15, 2024
Video: ResilientMass Metrics Initiative Public Meeting 2 – October 15, 2024
Skip this video ResilientMass Metrics Initiative Public Meeting 2 – October 15, 2024.The project management team would like to thank all participants involved in the process of developing statewide metrics for climate resilience. Your support and continued commitment have been crucial to advance our joint progress towards a climate resilient Commonwealth.
Learn More About State-Led Climate Resilience Action
ResilientMass is the Commonwealth’s initiative for building statewide capacity for climate change adaptation and resilience. ResilientMass provides funding, localized climate change science and data, and decision support tools for the Commonwealth to facilitate action that enhances climate resilience for local planners, practitioners, policymakers, and the public.”