A Content Analysis of Physical Activity and Priority Climate Action Plans Across US States

Climate change and physical inactivity are urgent public health challenges with intersecting effects on health, environmental sustainability, and community resilience. Physical Activity Plans (PAPs) and Priority Climate Action Plans (PCAPs) provide strategic frameworks for advancing both agendas. This study aimed to identify opportunities to leverage physical activity as a strategy for climate mitigation and adaptation and to recommend coordinated actions for policy and practice.

We conducted a directed content analysis of PAPs and PCAPs. Using NVivo (version 14), we extracted elements of plans, such as goals, objectives, strategies, sectors, implementing agencies, and year of implementation, and systematically assessed cross-plan connections. The connections were then categorized by unifying themes and analyzed to determine whether physical activity contributed to mitigation, adaptation, or both.

Analysis of 25 state-level PAPs and PCAPs revealed multiple pathways through which physical activity can contribute to climate goals, including active transportation, green infrastructure, energy-efficient spaces, dissemination efforts, and the creation of safe and inviting public spaces. Despite clear opportunities for co-benefits between health and climate, significant gaps remain. Among these are the absence of shared goals and coordinated strategies across PAPs and PCAPs, as well as inconsistent integration of equity and community engagement in plan development.

These findings underscore the potential of integrated, cross-sectoral strategies to advance both public health and climate resilience. Embedding equity and community participation in future PAPs and PCAPs and aligning federal policies with state policies is crucial for bridging gaps, maximizing co-benefits, and promoting socially just and sustainable outcomes.