Climate Initiatives

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Alachua County is dedicated to being a resilient community in the face of climate changes and impacts affecting our community today and into the future. Toward this goal and aligned with the County’s Strategic Guide​, the Board of County Commissioners officially accepted a Climate Action Plan on November 4, 2025. We are now in the implementation phase of this "living document" that will evolve and be updated over time.


Climate Action Plan​

Climate Action Plan Cover​

The County's Climate Action Plan (CAP)​ ​is a comprehensive and integrated strategy with the purpose of guiding, developing, and cultivating environmentally, socially, and economically resilient strategies and solutions to climate change for the whole community. The CAP identifies strategies and action items to address heat, flooding, and population migration as well as reduce waste (creating a circular economy), conserve water resources, improve the energy efficiency of County buildings and fleet, and continue to safeguard our shared natural resources through land conservation, tree protection, and strong wetland protection. In its next phase, the CAP will be transitioned to an online dashboard, and the written document will be updated annually with minor revisions and every five years with major revisions. If you have specific comments or suggestions about the CAP and its implementation, please share them here on our monday form​.

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2025 Climate Festival

Alachua County Climate Festival​

On November 15th, 2025, Alachua County hosted a Climate Festival, the third annual countywide climate event. With a focus on resilience in the local food system, the event's theme was "Planning for the future, Protecting our roots and resources, and Pollinating resiliency solutions" in the community. Below are materials from the event.​



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Attendees were asked to reflect on how the festival's themes resonated with them. Below is a summary of the responses:

  • Knowing we have a citizen-drive Climate Action Plan makes me feel… hopeful, grateful to live here, and optimistic.
  • The most important resources in Alachua County that we need to protect are… water, trees, wild areas, people, and air.
  • I pollinate climate resiliency solutions in my life and community through… conversations, community organizations, education, solar power, hybrid/electric vehicles, biking, and a plant-based diet.


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The Climate Festival featured:

  • Ceremonial acceptance of the County’s Climate Action Plan
  • Keynote by Michael Grunwald, award-winning journalist and author of the book We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate*
  • Panel discussions with municipal and local food system leaders
  • Performance by the Star Center Theater Youth
  • Exhibits from 16 community organizations showcasing climate resiliency in action
  • Opportunity to meet and talk with authors of the Climate Action Plan and community collaborators


*The ​keynote speaker's appearance was generously sponsored by: The Bob Graham Center for Public Service; UF College of Journalism and Communications; WUFT's Environment & Ag Desk; The Florida Climate Institute; and The Rothman Family Chair in the Humanities.


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Climate Vulnerability Analysis

Climate Vulnerability Final Report 2024

The countywide climate vulnerability analysis was completed in 2024 and is a comprehensive report identifying climate change related risks and threats to Alachua County. This work aims to understand key areas of vulnerability and determine strategies for fostering resilience within the community. By proactively assessing risks and planning, Alachua County will create a more resilient and sustainable environment for its residents through effective climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.

With the completion of this work, the County and it’s nine municipalities can qualify to apply for funding from the State of Florida’s Resilient Florida Grants Program to address nuisance flooding, critical infrastructure improvements, and other climate related threats. 

In addition to the Climate Vulnerability Assessment Final Report (July 2024) there are ad​ditional technical reports listed below that cover the details described in the final report.

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2024 ​Climate Summit

Alachua County hosted a very well-attended Climate Summit on November 16, 2024.​ Below are some materials from this event.


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Joint Water and Climate Policy Board

The JWCPB is composed of three Alachua County Commissioners, three members from the Gainesville City Commission, and one member from the outlying municipalities. The Board meets every other month to provide guidance on water issues and the challenges of climate change. The Board appoints members to the Citizen Climate Advisory Committee. View videos of past meetings here​ and find agendas at the City of Gainesville’s event calendar. For more information contact Stacie Greco at 352-264-6829.​

Citizen Climate Advisory Committee (CCAC)

The CCAC is composed of eight (8) voting citizen members, one (1) voting youth member age 16-21, and one (1) citizen member alternate, providing an opportunity for citizen involvement in climate change issues and concerns affecting Alachua County, the City of Gainesville, and the surrounding municipalities. The Committee advises the JWCPB on bold and innovative climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, policies, and target goals, and is primarily focused on development and implementation of the countywide Climate Action Plan. The CCAC meets in-person at the Grace Knight Conference Room on the third Monday of each month. For more information contact Jennison Kipp at jkipp@alachuacounty.us​ or 352-264-6823.

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