To enable our environment and communities to have adapted to the potential of at least 3 degrees rise in global temperatures by 2100.

What is climate change adaptation?

In recent years we have seen significant extreme weather events globally and within the UK, whether this be flooding, extreme heat or drought. The summer of 2022 saw the hottest temperatures ever recorded in the UK and drought conditions were declared in many areas of the Country. 2023 was confirmed as the warmest year on record globally. Areas of the country have also been severely impacted by flooding and storms over recent years.

As the world continues to warm, we can expect this extreme weather to become even more common. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is critical to limiting warming which would help us avoid the worst impacts of climate change. But we also need to adapt to the changes in climate we’re already experiencing and those expected in the coming decades to help avoid the most significant impacts.

If we don’t prepare and adapt, these events will affect our lives in so many ways:

• Changes to the wildlife that we value so highly in our area with some species facing the prospect of extinction whilst other will migrate away.
• Impacts on our health as we try to cope with hotter temperatures, with particular impacts for those who are most vulnerable.
• Concerns for our infrastructure and services, including energy supply and transport.
• Impacts on food production.
• Disruption to our lives from flooding, especially those that live in areas most susceptible to floods.

This list is not extensive; it has the potential to impact us in other ways too!

Climate Change Adaptation Plan

The Council has developed a Climate Change Adaptation Plan to help support the environment and communities of Warwick District prepare for the impacts of climate change.

The plan outlines how the climate is projected to change in Warwick District over the course of this century and the potential impacts of these changes on Council operations and services. It then proposes short-term adaptation actions to be taken by the Council under the following themes:

Theme 1: Mainstreaming climate resilience into Council operations and services

• Mitigating climate change risks to help maintain Council services.
• Preparing for climate related emergencies and working with partners to provide appropriate response and support.

Theme 2: Natural environment

• Natural flood alleviation
• Water storage
• Wildfire mitigation
• Protection and enhancement of biodiversity
• Tree planting and woodland management
• Supporting local food production

Theme 3: Health, communities and the built environment

• Climate resilient buildings and public spaces.
• Helping to prepare for and respond to weather extremes.
• Protecting the health of individuals and communities in a changing climate.

Theme 4: Supporting the local economy

• Supporting the local economy to prepare and adapt to a changing climate.

Download the full Climate Change Adaptation Plan