Resiliencia climática equitativa para gobiernos locales: uso de datos para impulsar la toma de decisiones

July 11, 2023

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El Instituto de Tecnología y Seguridad de la Construcción (IBTS) completó recientemente un estudio de dos años, financiado por la Fundación Kresge, centrado en ayudar a los gobiernos locales a comprender y abordar la equidad social en sus esfuerzos de planificación de la resiliencia climática. La primera fase del estudio, realizada en asociación con la Liga Nacional de Ciudades (NLC) y el Foro Nacional de Administradores Públicos Negros (NFBPA), incluyó una investigación sólida de los desafíos, éxitos y necesidades insatisfechas de las ciudades al abordar la equidad en la resiliencia climática. La segunda fase utilizó los resultados de esta investigación para desarrollar y poner a prueba una herramienta de evaluación para ayudar a los gobiernos locales a evaluar, medir y rastrear sus esfuerzos de resiliencia climática equitativa (ECR). Esta es la primera de una serie de publicaciones de blog que presentan los resultados de los estudios y las principales recomendaciones para las ciudades interesadas en promover la equidad en sus esfuerzos de resiliencia climática. Para obtener más información, visite www.IBTS.org/ecr.


Muchos gobiernos locales reconocen la necesidad de mejorar los resultados equitativos en sus esfuerzos de resiliencia climática. Numerosos estudios han demostrado la conexión entre la vulnerabilidad social y los impactos negativos del clima extremo y los desastres naturales, incluidas tasas mucho más altas de mortalidad, lesiones, enfermedades, pérdida de empleo y desplazamiento, así como conexiones comunitarias y bienestar social debilitados entre las poblaciones desatendidas.


Sin embargo, abordar estas desigualdades es un desafío complicado y a menudo confuso para los gobiernos locales. Además de las prioridades en competencia y los presupuestos y recursos limitados, nuestro estudio de 200 ciudades encuestadas encontró que muchas no están seguras de por dónde empezar. Los obstáculos para emprender actividades equitativas de resiliencia climática (REC) incluyen la financiación, la falta de comprensión y la falta de aceptación por parte de los líderes.


Nuestro estudio determinó cinco componentes de la ECR a nivel de gobierno local que son cruciales para promover la equidad en los esfuerzos de resiliencia climática:


  • Utilización de datos
  • Comunicación
  • Participación de los interesados
  • Capacidad organizativa
  • Financiamiento y finanzas

 

Entre ellos, la utilización de datos suele servir como un punto de partida útil. "Por lo general, iniciamos una conversación de ECR con una comunidad preguntándoles sobre sus datos: qué datos tienen y cómo los utilizan", dice Patrick Howell, gerente de proyectos de IBTS, quien supervisa el trabajo de ECR de la organización. "Es importante descubrir cuánto saben realmente sobre las poblaciones vulnerables, los peligros y riesgos climáticos y la intersección entre ambos".


Idealmente, un gobierno local tendrá acceso a varias fuentes de datos, incluidos datos del censo, demografía, datos económicos, salud pública, disponibilidad de viviendas, tendencias, precios y desalojos, peligros naturales, datos de riesgo climático, así como qué áreas se encuentran en la llanura aluvial. o en riesgo de sufrir incendios forestales. “Además de estas fuentes externas, no descarte los datos internos”, dice Howell, quien explica que las jurisdicciones pueden utilizar información como tendencias presupuestarias, análisis de costos y beneficios de programas y políticas, y resultados de auditorías de equidad para reforzar la planificación de ECR. La granularidad también es importante. "Tener una comprensión detallada de cómo las vulnerabilidades y los riesgos específicos cambian, a veces de manera significativa, de un vecindario a otro será de gran ayuda en su capacidad para priorizar y planificar", dice Howell.


De manera realista, muchas jurisdicciones locales no tienen los recursos para obtener este nivel de datos, o pueden no llegar a un acuerdo sobre qué estudios adicionales se necesitan (si es que se necesitan alguno). “No es necesario tenerlo todo para comenzar o avanzar en sus esfuerzos de ECR”, dice Howell, quien recomienda que los gobiernos locales aprovechen los datos proporcionados sin costo por las agencias y organizaciones nacionales. “Estos recursos están disponibles para que cualquiera los utilice y pueden brindarle una comprensión mucho mejor de las vulnerabilidades climáticas y sociales, los desastres y la demografía de su jurisdicción”, agrega. Éstas incluyen:


  • El Mapeo Climático para la Resiliencia y la Adaptación ofrece una herramienta de mapeo con riesgo de amenazas y vulnerabilidad social a nivel de condado (https://resilience.climate.gov/);
  • El Índice de Vulnerabilidad Social, proporcionado por la Agencia de Sustancias Tóxicas y Registro de Enfermedades (CDC/ATSDR) del Centro para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades incluye datos mapeados a nivel de condado (https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/placeandhealth/svi/ mapa_interactivo.html);
  • Las clasificaciones de salud del condado de Robert Wood Johnson incluyen todos los condados de los Estados Unidos. (https://www.countyhealthrankings.org)
  •  Asociación Nacional de Condados (NACo): herramienta County Explorer (https://ce.naco.org/). La herramienta recopila varias fuentes de datos en una única plataforma que incluye:
  • Demografía
  • Energía y Medio Ambiente
  • Justicia y Seguridad Pública
  • Vivienda y desarrollo comunitario
  • salud y Servicios Humanos
  • National Equity Atlas es un sitio web integral que proporciona informes detallados sobre la equidad racial y económica entre ciudades y pueblos (https://nationalequityatlas.org/).

What does it take to deliver resilient housing at scale in the Caribbean? Hint: It's not just funds

September 28, 2026
MIAMI, FL— What does it take to deliver resilient housing at scale in the Caribbean? That question was at the center of a panel featuring James Turner, IBTS Director of Federal Programs, during the 10th Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) in Miami. The event brought together government officials, developers, investors, infrastructure leaders, utilities, development finance organizations, and public-sector decision makers from more than 30 Caribbean nations and territories to discuss the region's infrastructure priorities and investment needs. James was featured on stage for the "Delivering Affordable and Resilient Housing in the Caribbean" panel discussion, alongside Bermuda housing leader Jeane Nikolai and Caribbean business executive André C. Walcott. The discussion focused on a challenge shared across the region: how to provide safe, affordable housing while strengthening communities against hurricanes, flooding, and other natural hazards. Drawing on IBTS' 5-decade-long experience supporting the US Department of Housing (HUD), as well as our experience in FEMA-funded housing and recovery programs, James emphasized that resilient housing is about much more than construction. Successful programs depend on strong building codes, qualified workers, reliable materials, effective quality assurance, and the systems needed to move projects from funding to implementation. Fellow panelists also shared their interesting perspectives based on their experiences. Jeane Nikolai stressed that homes must be built to withstand the region's climate conditions and backed by dependable warranty terms, noting that a lack of such options can narrow the housing choices available. Resilient construction, she emphasized, is essential to protecting both the homes themselves and the people who live in them. André C. Walcott underscored the importance of consistent building standards to ensure quality construction, along with the need for qualified, well-trained personnel and approved building materials, all of which contribute to safer, better-performing homes. The discussion and audience questions made one point clear: housing shortages are a shared challenge across countries, but the obstacles to meeting housing goals vary from place to place. Funding is a significant concern, but it is not the only driving factor in every case. The conversation reinforced why organizations such as IBTS are needed. Across the Caribbean, governments are investing in housing, infrastructure, and resilience, but many face common implementation challenges, including regulatory requirements, workforce shortages, compliance oversight, and program delivery. IBTS helps bridge those gaps via program management, building code compliance, quality assurance, inspections, resilience planning, and related technical services. Beyond the panel discussion, CARIF provided an opportunity for IBTS to engage directly with government representatives, infrastructure agencies, development institutions, utilities, developers, and private-sector partners working throughout the Caribbean. These conversations highlighted a growing focus on turning funding and policy commitments into real-world projects that strengthen communities and improve long-term resilience. Reflecting on the experience, James noted: "I was honored to participate in discussions with a group of solution-oriented leaders and professionals addressing the critical needs of the Caribbean. I look forward to continuing these important conversations and turning the concepts into actionable implementations." For IBTS, the message from CARIF was clear: resilient housing requires collaboration, practical implementation, and a commitment to quality at every stage. As Caribbean nations continue investing in their future, IBTS remains committed to helping communities transform plans, funding, and policy goals into lasting results. About James Turner: Mr. Turner provides nearly 20 years of professional experience, which includes significant knowledge and experience with manufactured housing standards and regulations. His experience includes technical and regulatory projects, design evaluations, performance assessment, conformity assessment, and technical regulatory research and analysis. About IBTS: With a mission to strengthen communities, IBTS serves as a trusted advisor and partner to local, state, and federal governments in advancing economic development. Its services ensure the effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of renewable energy projects and federally funded energy and sustainability programs—optimizing performance, reducing risk, and promoting the efficient use of public funds. Beyond its expertise in solar quality assurance, IBTS’s Puerto Rico office provides services in federal fund management; disaster planning, mitigation, and recovery; municipal planning; and resilience strategies. As a nonprofit organization, IBTS is guided by a Board of Directors with representatives from the Council of State Governments (CSG) , International City/County Management Association (ICMA) , National Association of Counties (NACo) , National Governors Association (NGA) , and the National League of Cities (NLC) . For more information, visit www.ibts.org .

Building the Future of Housing in the US Virgin Islands

September 18, 2026
IBTS supports regional collaboration on affordable resilient and code complaint housing

IBTS Exceeds Weatherization Goal, Upgrades 103 Puerto Rico Homes

July 21, 2026
The Institute for Building Technology and Safety has completed energy-efficiency, health and safety improvements in 103 Puerto Rico homes through a federally financed weatherization program, exceeding its goal of 100 households in about six weeks. The nonprofit organization, known as IBTS, managed operations and coordinated the latest phase of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce’s Energy Public Policy Program. Weatherization programs are intended to reduce household energy costs by making homes more efficient while addressing conditions that can affect residents’ health and safety. The Puerto Rico initiative prioritized low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities, according to IBTS. The organization did not specify the individual improvements made in each home but said the work was intended to increase comfort, improve living conditions and strengthen resilience. IBTS handled project management, inspections, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, document control and staff training, the organization said. The project also reported a 98% satisfaction rate among participants. “This program demonstrates what is possible when federal resources are translated into practical, measurable improvements for families and communities,” said Agnes Crespo-Quintana, IBTS’s Caribbean regional director. Alvin Miranda-Colón, manager of the Weatherization Assistance Program, said the initiative was intended to make energy more affordable while supporting sustainability and community resilience. IBTS said the project required coordination among government officials, contractors, auditors, inspectors, technology providers and participating communities. The organization said that work also developed procedures, trained personnel and expanded institutional capacity that could be used in future federally financed energy, housing and infrastructure programs. Judelly Hernández-Morales, the IBTS project manager, said cooperation between the public and private sectors helped translate federal funding into improvements for participating households.