The UK government has committed to reducing carbon emissions to Net Zero by 2050, and 70% of local authorities in the UK have declared a climate emergency.

Net Zero cannot be achieved without adaptation.

Adaptation (in the context of climate change) is otherwise known as resilience or preparedness. Resilience is the ambition, adaptation is the method.

We need to adapt to the challenges that arise from the significant climate impacts we are facing in the UK, and take advantage of the opportunities.

This toolkit has been structured to guide you through each stage of developing a strategy and action plan for adaptation, as a facilitation tool that seeks to bridge the technical guidance from the CCRA3 and the practicalities of local government. It has been designed for use at a team, service, or organisational level.

Each stage outlines what you can do, what information you need to gather, some guiding questions, and how to record the information.

This toolkit is intended to be read and used alongside other existing guidance documents and tools, including the Met Office Local Authority Climate Service to help you develop your understanding of climate risk and resilience for your organisation. A list of resources is included.

Risk and Opportunities Matrix

Following user feedback, we have updated the previously named risk register generator. The risk matrix is now available to download, which includes a list of all 61 risks from the CCRA3, mapped against the different council service areas, authority types, and who they are a risk to. You can filter this matrix as you wish to see which risks are applicable to your authority type and service area.

Also included are two template risk registers – one blank for you to fill in, or one with all risks included, per service area, for you to edit as you wish.