The Philadelphia Office of Sustainability (OOS), in partnership with Hinge Collective, has launched the Community Climate Resilience Toolkit, which gives residents and neighborhoods information and resources to prepare for climate change together.
Created with input from Philadelphia residents, this online resource shares information about climate risks, ways to stay prepared, and helpful City resources. The toolkit also provides free materials for community members and leaders to host workshops to prepare for climate impacts in their neighborhoods. No expertise needed!
Using the toolkit, residents can gather with neighbors to talk about climate risks and share experiences and resources. Together, communities across Philadelphia can get “climate ready.”
How to use the toolkit
The toolkit is for all Philadelphia communities. It offers practical information and resources to help individuals and communities prepare for climate change and recover from climate impacts.
Use the toolkit to:
- Learn how climate change is making extreme weather worse in Philadelphia, and who and what is vulnerable. Extreme weather includes heat, flooding, storms, poor air quality, and drought.
- Check out what the City is doing to address climate hazards.
- Learn what you and your community can do to prepare.
- Take action with your community. Get together with neighbors to talk about and plan for extreme weather together. Use the toolkit’s meeting materials and tips to get started.
Creating the toolkit
The toolkit was designed with input from Philadelphia residents. OOS worked with Climate Resilience Partner organizations to design the toolkit, using feedback from residents at 30 Climate Ready workshops across the city. In workshops, residents shared experiences with climate impacts and what they need to feel more prepared. They asked for more opportunities to come together with community members and build connections before emergencies.
What’s next
In fall 2026, OOS will begin the next phase of engagement to update Philadelphia’s Climate Resilience Plan. OOS will work with select partner organizations that serve residents most affected by climate change. Partners will conduct one-on-one interviews with residents to learn about personal experiences with extreme heat, flooding, and other climate impacts. Certain partners will also host community events that offer climate education, resources, and activities.
Feedback from the toolkit, resident interviews, and community events, are part of the work shaping the Climate Resilience Plan. The plan will establish goals, actions, and policy pathways for building a more climate resilient Philadelphia, informed by input from residents, community organizations, City agencies, and other stakeholders. The plan is set to be released in early 2027. Sign up for the Climate Resilience Planning newsletter to stay updated on news and events.
The Climate Resilience Plan update and engagement process is supported by the William Penn Foundation.
