Climate Action Planning in Kittery
Kittery Faces Climate Change Head On
In 2019, the Kittery Town Council established the Kittery Climate Adaptation Committee (KCAC) to advance the Town’s resilience to climate change. KCAC is leading Kittery's efforts to create a Climate Action Plan through a cohort process that works alongside the communities of Biddeford, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport and in partnership with the Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission (SMPDC).
Latest News
Kittery Town Council Adopts Climate Action Plan Strategies
At their December 11, 2023 meeting, the Kittery Town Council adopted the 29 Climate Action Plan Strategies, developed by the Kittery Climate Action Task Force.
- To review adopted climate action plan strategies, please click here.
- To watch the December 11, 2023 Town Council meeting about the strategies, which includes a presentation from Climate Action Task Force Chair, Cameron Wake, please click here.
A complete Climate Action Plan with comprehensive background data and appendices has been drafted and is expected to be finalized and posted on the website in February 2024.
Previous Events
Climate Action Open House at the Rice Public Library - November 1 & 9
The Kittery Climate Action Task Force hosted two Climate Action Open House events in November:
- November 1, 2023 from 5 PM - 7 PM at the Rice Public Library
- November 9, 2023 from 5 PM - 7 PM at the Rice Public Library
At the Open House, the Task Force shared the proposed Climate Action strategies and action items. The community was invited to stop in anytime during the open house to check out the proposed strategies, ask questions, and offer feedback.
Climate Action Open House - September 23, 2023
- To view the video presentation of "Climate Change in Kittery, Maine" from Cameron Wake, Ph.D., please click here.
- Download the event handouts below:
- To view the Workshop video, please click here.
Learn more about Kittery's Climate Action Planning, why we're working together and how you can get involved with the resources and information throughout this page.
What is a Climate Action Plan?
A Climate Action Plan (often called a CAP) is a strategic plan that lays out policies and programs for reducing a community's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
- Establishes actions necessary to reduce local GHG emissions and meet desired targets
- Establishes actions for adapting to climate change-induced impacts and hazards
- Establishes accountability for action
- Brings impacted community members and partners together
- Informs the public
- Integrates actions from various community plans
- Integrates actions across various levels (local, regional, state, federal, and international)
- Saves money through energy efficiency and builds the local economy
- Improves community health and livability
- Responds to the local context and conditions
Why Do We Need Local Climate Planning?
Climate Change is a global problem, but the impacts of climate change will be felt locally through disruptions in our daily lives, creating new risks and exacerbating vulnerabilities in our communities.
Similarly, our communities are responsible for our fair share of GHGs emitted from the cars and trucks we drive, the houses and buildings we heat, cool, and electrify, the industries we power, and the public services on which we depend.
In Maine, local governments have primary control over local land use, transportation systems and construction. Our communities already have plans, policies, and programs in place that address these areas. By incorporating and prioritizing climate change considerations, we can reduce GHG emissions and make our communities more resilient.
Why Use a Cohort Approach?
The communities of Kittery, Biddeford, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport are working with SMPDC, local taskforces and each other to develop their climate action plans concurrently.
Specific work to develop the climate action plans and identify local climate impacts, vulnerabilities, goals, and strategies is tailored to individual communities. But by sharing administration, technical assistance, outreach efforts, and facilitation, participating communities are receiving efficiencies in time and resources. The cohort also enables peer-learning and sharing of best practices across communities. Additionally, the comparison and coordination of strategies across the participating communities will provide the opportunity to consider potential regional goals and strategies.
What Happens Next?
KCAC and SMPDC have already mapped areas in Kittery that are vulnerable to flooding and completed a community-wide greenhouse gas emission inventory. The next step for the Kittery team is to gather community input to shape our Climate Action Plan via community conversations, workshops, surveys and more.
