London Councils’ Climate team have launched a new report London Leading: Case Studies in Climate Resilience Leadership which showcases how London boroughs are making climate adaptation a priority and embedding action within councils.
The report has been produced by the Resilient & Green theme, led by LB Southwark and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which works alongside London boroughs to deliver climate adaptation and improve resilience across the capital.
In response to increasing extreme weather events like flooding and heatwaves, officers have been working to strengthen their council’s response to climate impacts and raise the profile of climate adaptation across services.
The report identifies five areas of Climate Resilience Leadership and sets out recommendations on how best to implement them.
Twelve case studies from London boroughs showcase how they are embedding resilience, embracing collaboration, using data and information and emboldening their leaders at all levels.
This report follows the Resilient and Green Governance and Partnerships Guide launched last year, which sets out London’s adaptation landscape for boroughs, including statutory duties, national and regional policy, and networks.
Insights from London boroughs officers:
"Working collaboratively across the council helps identify the communities, areas and facilities most at risk from climate change and consider the health of the local population to ensure that projects are focused on the people that are most vulnerable."
LB Haringey
“Mainstreaming climate adaptation across all council levels, services, and programmes, alongside emission reductions and a just transition, is crucial. Every officer in the council is a climate change officer as climate impacts will affect all council services.”
LB Southwark
“[Challenges include] increasing understanding of extreme weather risks across various services and quantifying their impacts for effective adaptation-focused investment. Senior leadership is crucial to ensuring that climate adaptation and resilience become a priority.”
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Case studies included:
Strategic approach
- Developing a climate resilience and adaptation strategy, LB Southwark
- Updating an adaptation strategy, LB Brent
Data and information
- Climate risk assessment and adaptation strategy, LB Hammersmith and Fulham
- Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) on heatwaves, LB Haringey
- Citizens’ jury on heatwaves, LB Hackney
Governance
- Resourcing adaptation work, City of London Corporation
- Capturing adaptation work and using Climate Impact Assessments, LB Sutton
- Allocating responsibility for adaptation, RB Kingston upon Thames
Leadership
- Kickstarting adaptation action, RB Kensington and Chelsea
- Prioritising adaptation and building collective capacity, Westminster City Council
Shared Delivery
- Cross-department work on heat risk, LB Lambeth
- Resilience & Adaptation Stakeholder Forum, LB Ealing