The City of San José approved its Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (CARP) on March 3, according to an April 2 announcement. The plan aims to help the city prepare for extreme heat, flooding, wildfire, and other climate-related risks.
San José has been experiencing higher temperatures, more frequent wildfire smoke, and increased risk of flooding. The CARP is designed to guide the city in addressing these challenges while strengthening long-term resilience across services and operations.
“The Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan gives us a clear roadmap to prepare for climate impacts across City services and operations,” said City Manager Jennifer Maguire. “It helps us better coordinate, prioritize resources, and help residents who are most vulnerable to climate risks.” Mayor Matt Mahan said, “Recent record-breaking heat across the region is a reminder that our climate is changing, and we have a responsibility to keep San José green and safe for future generations. Through the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan, we will protect residents, strengthen local infrastructure, and take practical steps to meet the future head on.” Lori Mitchell, San José Clean Energy Director added: “While we work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through clean energy procurement and customer programs, the CARP ensures we are also preparing for climate impacts that are impacting our residents and businesses. Together, these efforts help create a more sustainable, resilient future for our community.”
Key components of CARP include identifying major climate hazards facing San José; prioritizing support for vulnerable groups such as older adults or low-income households; investing in resilient infrastructure like urban trees or green spaces; as well as coordinating adaptation planning among city departments.
San José’s approach aligns with its ongoing initiatives like Climate Smart San José—a program focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions—which was updated in 2025 with strategies targeting energy use in buildings and transportation. The city’s efforts reflect its broader mission to deliver quality public services while fostering a vibrant community according to its official mission page.
Cultural diversity remains central in San José’s identity through initiatives such as the Japanese Friendship Garden or Mexican Heritage Plaza as noted on the historical context page. The city also maintains historic sites including museums at Kelley Park as described by city records, features unique replicas like statehouses built in past centuries according to historical documents, serves diverse neighborhoods throughout Santa Clara Valley according to historical context pages,
and is governed by an elected mayor alongside an eleven-member council representing specific districts as outlined by its official charter.
By adopting CARP alongside existing programs like Climate Smart San José,
the city aims for thoughtful solutions that build resilience while supporting all residents.