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Committee adopts resolution urging statewide definition of climate maladaptation
Summary
SCR 50 urges the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to review definitions and criteria for ‘maladaptation’ so agencies can avoid investments that increase climate risk; the committee adopted the resolution and sent it forward.
The Assembly Natural Resources Committee adopted SCR 50, a resolution urging the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to review regulatory efforts and propose criteria to define and avoid climate maladaptation.
Supporters described maladaptation as actions that unintentionally increase greenhouse‑gas emissions, shift or increase vulnerability to climate impacts, produce more inequitable outcomes, or lower welfare now or in the future. The measure urges the office to examine other regulatory efforts and suggest criteria for agencies to use when reviewing climate‑responsive policies and investments.
Senate author and presenter emphasized that past examples — such as channelizing the Los Angeles River to remove flood risk but neglect stormwater capture and groundwater recharge — illustrate how well‑intended projects can produce maladaptive outcomes. Enrique Huerta, legislative director for ClimateResolve, said consistent criteria would help the state use funding more effectively and avoid costly recovery expenditures. The presenter cited studies estimating that every dollar invested in climate resilience yields substantial avoided costs.
Committee members asked questions and the author’s representative requested an aye vote. The committee adopted the resolution on roll call and the measure was recorded as “out.”
