New Jersey Administrative Code › Title - EXECUTIVE ORDERS › Title 55 - CHRIS CHRISTIE › Section - Executive Order No. 89 (2019)

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
Governor Philip D. Murphy
Executive Order No. 89 (2019)
An Order Establishing the Statewide Climate Change Resilience Strategy
Issued: October 29, 2019.
Effective: October 29, 2019.
WHEREAS, the scientific community has reached an overwhelming consensus that due to increasing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from human activities, the Earth is warming, and temperature increases are contributing to an increase in the frequency and intensity of severe weather events, precipitation, and wind damage, as well as rising sea levels; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey is especially vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise, increased flooding and other aspects of climate change, with potentially disastrous consequences for public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, minority and low-income communities are disproportionately affected by climate change, including by the health effects of higher temperatures and increased air pollution and by the displacement of coastal and low-lying neighborhoods from sea level rise and flooding; and
WHEREAS, the severity of future impacts of climate change on our State will directly depend on the willingness and ability of communities, businesses, industries, and government entities to integrate climate change considerations into planning and decisionmaking, and to become more resilient and adapt to the effects of climate change; and
WHEREAS, studies show that each dollar spent to mitigate hazards, including those associated with climate change impacts, results in a six-fold decrease in spending on recovery; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this State that Executive Branch departments and agencies shall take proactive and coordinated efforts, where appropriate, to protect public health and safety and to promote and protect the physical, economic, and social vitality and resilience of New Jersey's communities from the current and anticipated impacts of climate change;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1.
State of New Jersey Chief Resilience Officer.
The Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP") shall appoint a Chief Resilience Officer of the State of New Jersey to lead development and implementation of the Statewide Climate Change Resilience Strategy. The Chief Resilience Officer shall direct and be supported by the Climate and Flood Resilience Program established herein and shall be an employee of the State.
2.
Climate and Flood Resilience Program.
There is hereby established the Climate and Flood Resilience Program within the DEP. The Climate and Flood Resilience Program, under the direction of the Chief Resilience Officer, shall:
a. Develop a Scientific Report on Climate Change based on existing data and the best available science regarding the current and anticipated environmental effects of climate change in New Jersey, including but not limited to increased temperatures, sea level rise, increased frequency or severity of rainfall, storms and flooding, increased forest fires, and increased frequency and severity of droughts, anticipated by scientists at least through 2050;
b. Deliver the Scientific Report on Climate Change to the Governor within 180 days of the effective date of this Order and update and supplement the report as necessary, but at least every two (2) years to reflect the latest available climate change science;
c. Develop, with the support of the Interagency Council on Climate Resilience, described fully herein, the Statewide Climate Change Resilience Strategy, also described fully herein;
d. Provide strategic direction and support to the Interagency Council on Climate Resilience and other cross-departmental climate change resilience initiatives, including facilitating stakeholder engagement and input into recommendations;
e. Coordinate DEP's policies, programs, and activities to plan for and address the current and anticipated impacts of climate change;
f. Compile and periodically update a directory of federal and State governmental grants and financing programs available to assist Executive Branch departments and agencies, counties, and municipalities to plan for, mitigate, and respond to the impacts of climate change; and
g. Provide technical guidance and support to counties and municipalities in their efforts to plan for and address the current and anticipated impacts of climate change in accordance with the Statewide Climate Change Resilience Strategy.