Climate Change Adaptation

Preparing for local climate change

Climate change is already affecting communities across the UK. Hotter summers, heavier rainfall, flooding, and more unpredictable weather are becoming more common and these impacts are expected to increase over time.

While reducing carbon emissions remains essential, we also need to adapt to the changes that are already happening. Local councils, community groups, schools and residents can all take practical steps to make places safer, greener and more resilient.

This page provides simple guidance, practical ideas and links to trusted support to help you prepare for local climate change and take action in your community.

What is climate chance adaptation?

Climate change adaptation means adjusting the way we design, manage and use our places to reduce risks from climate impacts such as flooding, heatwaves, drought and storms.

Adaptation is about:

• Protecting people, homes and infrastructure
• Supporting nature and wildlife
• Making communities healthier and more resilient
• Planning ahead rather than reacting to emergencies

Adaptation works best when it is locally led and community focussed.

Why take action locally?

Taking action at a parish, town or neighbourhood level can help to:

• Reduce the risk of flooding, overheating, and storm damage
• Protect vulnerable residents during extreme weather
• Improve green spaces, biodiversity, and access to nature
• Create cooler, healthier, and more attractive places
• Build stronger community networks and local skills

Even small actions, when repeated across many communities, can make a meaningful difference.

A simple 5-step approach to climate adaptation

1. Spot the risks

Identify where climate impacts are already being felt or are most likely to occur, such as flood-prone areas, places with little shade, or stressed green spaces and watercourses.

2. Plan practical actions

Consider measures that slow, store or soak up rainwater, provide shade and cooling, protect habitats and support people during extreme weather.

3. Involve the community

Engage residents, volunteers, schools, landowners and local businesses early. Local knowledge is invaluable and shared ownership helps projects succeed.

4. Take action

Deliver practical measures at a local scale, working with partners and volunteers where possible.

5. Monitor and share

Review what works, make improvements where needed and share your success to inspire others.

Examples of local adaptation actions

The examples below show the types of practical actions that communities are already taking to prepare for climate change. Not all will be suitable everywhere.

Manage water and reduce flood risk:

• Tree, hedge and vegetation planting to slow water flow
• Rain gardens, swales, ponds and wetlands
• Maintaining ditches, culverts and watercourses
• Reducing unnecessary hard surfacing

Cool streets and public spaces:

• Increasing tree canopy cover
• Providing shaded seating and walking routes
• Using green roofs and walls where possible
• Protecting and enhancing existing green spaces

Support nature and biodiversity:

• Creating connected green corridors
• Pollinator-friendly planting
• Protecting ponds, rivers and wetland habitats

Support people and communities:

• Checking on vulnerable residents during extreme weather
• Sharing trusted advice locally
• Building volunteer and support networks

Plan for long-term resilience:

• Designing new developments and public spaces for future climate conditions
• Embedding climate adaptation into neighbourhood plans and council decisions

Help, funding and guidance

Detailed household and personal safety advice is provided by national organisations. The links below will help you find trust, up to date guidance.

Flooding, extreme heat and emergency preparedness:

• CSW Resilience – provides town and parish council emergency plan templates and community flood action templates, guidance notes, and advice to help communities prepare for flooding and other local hazards.
• Warwickshire County Council Flood Risk Management Team – emergency responder during flood events, advice and guidance on flooding and keeping safe in a flood event, historic flood data, flood risk management responsibility, and guidance and best practice on setting up Flood Action Groups
• Environment Agency – flood warnings, flood risk maps, property protection advice, and incident reporting
• National Flood Forum – support for communities affected by flooding, including Flood Action Groups and insurance advice
• UK Health Security Agency / NHS – public health advice on staying safe during heatwaves and other extreme weather
• Met Office – weather warnings and climate risk information for local areas

Several communities in South Warwickshire have developed community flood plans and are willing to share their experience and lessons learned. If you would like to learn from other communities, or if your group is willing to share your own experience, please contact us.

Water and drought:

• Waterwise – UK organisation with resources and campaigns to help communities reduce water risk, save water and improve resilience
• Severn Trent Water – Community support and funding

Nature and biodiversity:

For practical guidance, project ideas, funding opportunities to support local wildlife, habitats and green spaces, as well as Local Nature Action Plan toolkits and templates, please see our Biodiversity section.

Key message

Climate adaptation doesn’t need to be complicated. Small, practical steps from planting trees and creating rain gardens to checking on vulnerable residents can make a real difference. By planning ahead, working together, and caring for both people and nature, local communities can become more resilient to climate change and create places that are safer, greener and more enjoyable for everyone, now and in the future.