Climate Vulnerability Assessment Published

As part of the ongoing process to develop a Climate Element for the Comprehensive Plan and a Climate Action Plan, San Juan County has completed a Climate Vulnerability Assessment. This assessment examines how climate change could impact local systems and communities by focusing on three critical factors—exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity.

The Climate Vulnerability Assessment was created through a combination of in-depth research and community collaboration. It involved a review of existing documents and studies, along with two listening sessions. The first session engaged County representatives and key partners, while the second welcomed input from the wider community. Together, these efforts aimed to identify climate risks and explore opportunities to build resilience.

The insights gained from the Climate Vulnerability Assessment have helped shape policies for the County’s Climate Element as part of the Comprehensive Plan 2025 update. Additionally, they will guide the development of the Climate Action Plan, ensuring a thoughtful and informed approach.

The Climate Vulnerability Assessment centers on three primary focus areas: buildings and energy, water resources, and transportation. These categories are vital for pinpointing vulnerabilities and developing strategies to strengthen resilience for the future.

The results for each of the three sectors are summarized in a series of Vulnerability Assessment Factsheets available here or by clicking the preview image below. You can read the full Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report here.

click image to view full factsheets