International collaboration to strengthen climate resiliency planning in VA
Written by Sophia Whitaker
The Virginia Climate Center (VCC) and our partner, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), recently hosted visitors from the University and Region of Stuttgart, Germany at a workshop on cross-national collaboration to support climate resilience planning in both regions.
What does a German region home to world-famous car brands Porsche and Mercedes-Benz have in common with Northern Virginia? Turns out, more than you might think. Since 1999, the NVRC and Verband Region Stuttgart have worked to transfer and apply policy and technology innovations across the Atlantic. For years, the Verband Region Stuttgart has worked with its local university partners to support Stuttgart’s sustainability planning with climate modelling to expand applications of green infrastructure and sustainable land-use management practices. Given that Stuttgart and Northern Virginia experience many similar impacts from climate change, these efforts have had profound benefits in Northern Virginia, as well. Arlington County’s green roof policies, the City of Alexandria’s reformed low-impact development policies, and the Solarize NOVA renewable energy program – among many others – are all products of this cooperation.
Now, NVRC, the Verband Region Stuttgart, the University of Stuttgart, and VCC have agreed to collaborate on an applied research agenda that involves multiple and shared climate resiliency planning priorities. The purpose of this cross-national applied scientific research is to support the understanding and adoption of mutually beneficial policy and technical innovations between both regions. The four institutions will work together to use scientific research to find solutions to help local governments mitigate heat stress in urban heat islands, improve response to extreme storm events, and promote renewable energy. Creating cross-national applied science that supports local climate resiliency and sustainability has emerged as an important focus over the last several United Nations Climate Change Conferences.
The March workshop at George Mason University provided the ideal setting for the scientists, researchers and practitioners from the U.S. and Germany to gather and assess the optimal set of activities and collaboration for the short and long-term. The four institutions framed multiple shared science-driven research activities focused on the topic of local level sustainable climate resilient planning for which they will meet quarterly to coordinate research and potential outputs. The experience provided attendees with a multi-faceted understanding of the current issues both regions face, and heightened their motivation to transform knowledge into action. Most importantly, the workshop closed out with concrete research proposals, future workshop ideas, and a sense of hope for a better tomorrow.
Written by
Sophia Whitaker - Virginia Climate Center Communications Manager
