Rapid Adaptation Pathways Assessment (RAPA) Toolkit

Summary

Developed in May 2025 through a collaboration between ADEPT and the Environment Agency, this toolkit is designed to help organisations begin their adaptation planning journey by building consensus before undertaking complex technical assessments. The approach was designed by climate adaptation specialists, Climate Sense.

What is the toolkit trying to do?

The RAPA process is designed to support decision-makers in planning for climate change, particularly in the area of flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM). The toolkit helps users to:

• Develop high-level adaptation pathways to inform a coherent and actionable plan.
• Plan, prioritise, and sequence investments in resilience actions.
• Bring together people with different expertise and experiences to get a big-picture view of possible adaptation pathways.
• Explore climate impacts and adaptation opportunities in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Build shared understanding and form relationships with these stakeholders.
• Identify thresholds where current practices may no longer be effective and new actions are needed.

Who is the toolkit for?

This toolkit is primarily for Risk Management Authorities (RMAs), including Local Authorities, who are on the frontline of adapting to climate change. It is designed to be used by facilitators to run workshops with a range of participants, including:

• Community groups, emergency responders, and environmental organisations whose perspectives are invaluable for developing effective and inclusive pathways
• Technical experts who can help define climate impacts and thresholds.
• Decision-makers who can ensure buy-in and help plan next steps.

Example of the toolkit in action: The Marlborough Pilot

The RAPA toolkit was piloted in three locations, including Marlborough, to address local flood risk. The Wiltshire RAPA exercise focused on how climate change is altering flood risk in Marlborough and what adaptation measures could enhance community resilience.

The workshop used local data and knowledge, including key insights from the recent Storm Henk in January 2024. This allowed a multi-stakeholder group to evaluate risks from river, surface water, and groundwater flooding and explore a range of responses, including natural flood management, infrastructure improvements, and community action. The insights from the RAPA will now support future decision-making and provide practical guidance for Marlborough’s long-term climate resilience.

Citation

Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport and Environment Agency (2025) Rapid Adaptation Pathways Assessment Toolkit. https://www.adeptnet.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/2025-05/Rapid%20Adaptation%20Pathways%20Assessment%20Toolkit_May%202025_0.pdf (Accessed 16th Sep 2025)