Providing climate adaptation services across the UK
We are a non-profit organisation that provide a range of climate adaptation services in the UK, dedicated to bringing adaptation within the reach of everyone. We create accessible solutions for tenants, home owners, housing associations, community organisations and local government. Through detailed analysis of climate data, we can provide integrated Energy Performance Certificates (‘EPCs’) that take into account likelihood of disasters (flooding, storm damage, droughts, etc) and geographic resilience, Climate Adaptation Assessments that provide a firm strategy for comprehensive adaptation, together with Self-Sufficiency Plans that consider wider dimensions of climate change on societal and natural systems.
Adaptation to climate change is becoming more important as greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. With the world heading for over 1.5 °C warming by 2100, the impacts on communities, ecosystems and wider society will be immense. Despite this, there are few other climate adaptation services in the UK, and those that do exist are usually out of reach to most people – made for large organisations or corporate clients. In an age of rising inequality, we believe everyone should be empowered and enabled to address the greatest challenge the planet is facing. Our pioneering climate adaptation services are tailored for ordinary people and communities, with options to support the most disadvantaged.
Climate adaptation Services
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
We provide Energy Performance Certificates, drawing upon a range of qualified assessors. If you already have a Certificate, we look at the various options available for upgrading your energy rating, including links with vetted tradespeople in your area and information on relevant government support. All EPCs include considerations about the impacts of climate change on properties (both domestic and commercial) - something regular assessments do not include.
Climate Adaptation Assessments (CAAs)
In addition to CAAs, Climadapt can review what steps you need to take in adapting to climate change, both short and long term. We draw upon a range of data and carefully assess your situation to develop an assessment that you can rely upon – saving significant future disruption and costs. Areas covered span everything from flood mitigation and water conservation to retrofitting and better access to renewable energy. After the CAA, we can connect you with vetted services to implement work.
Self-Sufficiency Plans
Every place is unique, with various different options to help you live more sustainably and self-sufficiently. Whether it is an overview of recycling facilities or a list of local community organic growing initiatives, we will provide a plan relevant to you, whilst drawing upon the latest climate data to set out what areas you should be looking at in the future.
Additionally, our ‘Reconnecting’ initiative provides self-sufficiency training, in partnership with ecological centres, available to people who are looking to live more independently and want to reconnect with nature.
Why Climadapt?
The world is facing a climate emergency. Data from the United Nations indicates a base 3.2°C global temperatures by 2100. This is if all countries that signed up to the Paris Agreement of 2015 fuflfill their pledges, which the majority are still far from doing. So, as things currently stand, the rise could be even higher. Significant impacts are to be expected, even with the most widespread climate mitigation technology and steps (including huge cuts in emissions and carbon extraction technologies). If things continue on the trajectory of policies at the time of May 2021, the amount of warming is expected to be over 4°C. All scientists agree that is on the level of societal collapse. The concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (notably carbon dioxide) is already higher than it has been for over 3 million years – a time when sea levels were 16 meters higher. However, there is still time to avert this. We need to be prepared, and put in place plans to adapt, even for the most optimistic of scenarios.
‘Planet Earth is facing a climate emergency. To secure a sustainable future, we must change how we live. [This] entails major transformations in the ways our global society functions and interacts with natural ecosystems.’ – Union of Concerned Scientists (2019)
Climate adaptation, far from being separate from mitigation, can actually complement and enhance it, as explored here. By using the most appropriate techniques and solutions, we can both prepare for the impacts of climate change and also play our part in helping to reduce the severity. The need to move towards zero emissions remains – not by 2050, but by 2025 or indeed as soon as possible.
Adaptation to climate change is inevitable – but not within reach for all
For the UK, we can look at the last government climate change risk assessment and determine wide ranging impacts of climate change – ranging from more severe storms, wetter winters, and greater likelihood of droughts in summer. We are already starting to see summers getting hotter and storms intensifying. The effects are only going to increase over time, as noted by the United Nations and agreed by scientists.
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Legislative changes due to take effect in 2025 means that all large companies will need to submit an annual climate change risk assessment – a process we can help with – and it is likely that there will only be more extensive requirements in the future. But ultimately everyone is affected by the impacts of climate change, but particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds – people in insecure and poor quality housing, on low incomes, with disabilities and without a supporting social network. Climadapt believes everyone should be empowered and enabled to adapt to the impacts of climate change, whilst moving towards zero emissions.