Sustainability and Resilience Planning for Local Governments

This book provides outlines for professionals in local governments to use for creating and implementing sustainability and resilience plans. It offers guidance, models, ideas and methods in applying sustainability planning to ensure the success of organizations and communities. The recommendations in this book are based on the author's years of direct experience in applied resilience and sustainability planning in Grand Rapids, Michigan and on his years of research on various aspects of sustainability and resilience from climate change, climate preparedness, triple bottom line impact, greenhouse gas emission strategies, climate adaptation and climate change mitigation to sustainable energy practices. Chapter one defines terms related to sustainability and resilience, and how the topics impact local governments and communities. Chapter two maps out the sustainability process for organizations and communities, in the process determining the appropriate steps to be taken at each level of sustainability planning. Chapter three outlines community and organizational level engagement methods necessary during these processes. Chapter four involves measuring, tracking and reporting using sustainability progress reports to establish a planning foundation. Then chapter five details how to implement a sustainability plan once it is established. Chapter six explains the intersection between sustainability and resilience, and chapter seven details the tools and resources available to create an effective sustainability plan. Chapter eight concludes the text by addressing the complexities of the modern dynamics of the interconnected systems in cities and organizations, and how planning methods must consider these challenges.