CAP Act of 2025

The Climate Adaptation Plan Act of 2025 directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a competitive grant program within one year of enactment. This program aims to facilitate the development of comprehensive climate adaptation plans by eligible entities , including local governments and federally recognized Indian Tribes. The EPA will issue guidance for the program in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, such as youth, farmers, Indigenous communities, and local governments. Eligible applicants must demonstrate representation of a low-income community and experience in risk assessment or federal grant applications. Applications require demographic information, a statement of purpose, details on climate change impacts, and a strategy for engaging diverse stakeholders, especially environmental justice communities . Priority is given to applicants including an environmental justice community , and no matching funds are required. Climate adaptation plans developed with these grants must include detailed risk assessments of climate change impacts on the population, considering demographic and social factors like race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. They must also assess risks to natural ecosystems , housing, infrastructure, and public buildings , outlining specific actions to address these identified risks. Such actions may include changes in land use, zoning, building codes, and the restoration and protection of natural areas, with plans integrating with existing relevant plans.