Guidance on the Bay Plan policies on climate change
Information to assist in developing projects in line with the Bay Plan’s policies on climate change.
What is the Climate Change Policy Guidance?
BCDC staff prepared this guidance to assist permit applicants by discussing the Commission’s past actions with respect to the Climate Change Policies in the Bay Plan (Climate Change Policies). Reliance on this guidance is not mandated by the Climate Change Policies.
BCDC developed this guidance to help permit applicants:
- Interpret the Climate Change Policies
- Understand how the Commission has applied the Climate Change Policies to past projects
Last updated in May 2025, the guidance provides:
- An overview of the Climate Change Policies
- Example permit language from shoreline projects the Commission has permitted
- Steps for preparing:
- A sea level rise risk assessment
- An adaptation management plan
- An overview of the best available science on climate change and sea level rise
How do the Climate Change Policies impact BCDC’s work?
The Bay Plan was amended in October 2011 to include the Climate Change Policies. Since 2011, the Commission has applied the Climate Change Policies in the permitting of hundreds of projects. Over time, the Commission’s application of the policies has been refined to reflect the best available science. BCDC has also become a regional leader in climate adaptation planning. The Commission stewarded the first Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan, as outlined by Climate Change Policy 6.
Guidance Timeline:
- July 2021 –Climate Change Policy Guidance approved by the Commission
- June 2024 – State of California Sea Level Rise Guidance: 2024 Science and Policy Update adopted by the Ocean Protection Council
- December 2024 – Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (RSAP) adopted by the Commission
- March 2025 – Climate Change Policies amended to reflect the RSAP (BPA 1-24)
- May 2025 – Updated Climate Change Policy Guidance approved by the Commission
