Be aware, be prepared, take action

Adapting to the changes brought about by climate change is one of the most important issues facing local government. These changes affect almost every aspect of our work: our buildings and infrastructure; our health and wellbeing; the landscape, habitat and species around us; and the goods and services we provide.

There is a growing consensus that councils should be leading the national effort to tackle climate change. Recent opinion polling by the LGA has shown that over three quarters (76%) of people agree that councils have a major role to play.

Many councils are stepping up to this challenge, but there is still much to do. A key ambition of the LGA’s national campaign on climate change small change, big difference’ is for all local authorities to have an understanding of how the risks associated with climate change affect core service delivery, infrastructure, assets and the well being of local communities.

To help local government assess these risks the LGA, Environment Agency and the United Kingdom Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) have jointly produced the guidance ‘be aware be prepared take action’.

Throughout this guidance we have signposted tools and resources which local authorities can draw upon in developing their adaptation strategies. We suggest ways to systematically manage these risks across local authorities’ functions, outline the new legislative context for adaptation and offer some example of innovation and best practice in the field. This information will be applicable to all member and officer communities not just those focused on environment issues.