Five insights from the launch of a new initiative to help the UK adapt to climate change

This piece was originally published on the SEI website. See a recording and summary of the launch event here

Adaptation should not be secondary to mitigation.

“The overall status of adaptation [leaves it] sitting on the sidelines – both in terms of status in government and integration across other departments than just (the UK Department for Energy, Food & Rural Affairs) DEFRA. It feels like it’s always an afterthought, and that we’re not hardwiring long-term thinking and resilience into policy. For example, we are building infrastructure that’s not future proofed, retrofitting homes for energy efficiency but not considering overheating or flooding, and failing to identify ‘no regrets’ measures that we could and should be taking now. We must address the existing gap between the Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA)  and what we know are the real and present risks and the relative weakness of national-level adaptation planning.”

– Jude Hassall, Principal Policy and Projects Officer, London Climate Ready Partnership

Social equity should be a priority of climate adaptation efforts.  

“Right now, the people most vulnerable to floods, heatwaves, and other climate impacts are often the least supported. If we want a truly resilient UK, adaptation efforts – whether involving cooling homes, protecting communities from flooding, or restoring nature – need to be fair and accessible. That means making sure that local voices are heard, that policies actually help those who need them most, and that funding reaches the right places.”

– Shreya Bhatia, Centre Manager, MACC Hub, King’s College London

Adaptation by its very nature must be dynamic and ongoing.

“The ambition should be to ensure that capacity, understanding and actions taken in response to changes will be flexible enough to deal with increasing climate variability and extremes. The aim is for governments, institutions and communities to be resilient, and to have tools and approaches to changes occurring now and those ahead – no matter what they are. The value will emerge from learning and collaborating across country borders and from working together at all levels from community action to government policy.”

–  Ruth Butterfield, Senior Research Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute

“Meet the moment” by addressing key priorities to foster change.

”The core aims of the MACC Hub squarely point towards the priorities identified by the audience (see poll results below).  These priorities include funding, resources, and an understanding of ‘what works’ at a project-delivery level. The Hub will need to support a clear framework around these issues and work for every part of the UK if we are to meet the moment by delivering transformational adaptation.” 

– Stephen Jones, Resilience Co-ordinator, Northern Ireland Environment Link

Collaborative adaptation action and funding should be a focus.

“To advance adaptation action for the people and places at greatest risk from climate change both now and in the future, we need to see leaders emerge from across society to drive forward action. While in Scotland and across the UK we have made progress in recent years on planning for climate change impacts, we now need to see a significant shift towards collaborative action and implementation, with adequate funding. Climate resilience is an issue that resonates strongly with communities across the UK that want to protect their homes, their families, and their heritage – and to build fairer, more resilient societies.”

– Jonny Casey, Head of Climate Ready Leadership, Verture