Adaptation actions in cities: what works?

This report considered what actions are being taken to adapt to the current and future impacts of climate change across a number of sectors in the UK, and how vulnerability to climate hazards is changing over time. A key finding was that, while much action is underway, it was in most cases unclear what impact those actions had had on reducing risk, i.e. vulnerability or exposure to climate change.

Findings of this study are based on 25 case studies across the urban areas of Glasgow City Region, Greater London, Greater Manchester, Leicester and Newcastle upon Tyne.

The key recommendations from the report include: 

• Successful adaptation projects establish realistic timescales to development and delivery projects
• Adaptation projects should clearly identify where taking action can support delivering multiple benefits .e.g. health, regeneration (etc.)
• Securing political support contributes to success
• Monitoring and evaluation should be central for innovative projects where outcomes are uncertain, or for more complicated hazards like heat
• Project owners should map and understand stakeholders at an early stage