Acting together on climate change

Effective approaches to adapting for climate change combine many themes such as water, waste, transport and biodiversity together.

It is essential that local authorities and their partners ensure that the urban environment is planned and managed to adapt to future climate scenarios. Public space can often knit together several themes to maximise the impact and complement mitigation measures. Visit our Sustainable Cities website for more information and guidance on using public space to adapt to and mitigate climate change.

The studies below demonstrate a holistic approach to projects combining themes including water resource management, green roofs, food growing, play, recycling, biodiversity, lighting, heat and community engagement

What people are saying

• Climate change action in the City of London
  Simon Mills, sustainable development and environmental co-ordinator for the City of London Corporation, talks about how the City is shaping up for the challenges of climate change.

What people are doing

Three case studies about holistic responses to climate change:

• Sydney’s sustainable Olympics legacy
  The Sydney Olympic Games offer world-class demonstration of sustainable design and management
• Neighbourhood regeneration in Malmö
  The future of Augustenborg was turned around by exemplary environmental adaptation
• Greening Chicago’s alleys
  Renewing alley ways paved the way for innovative street design.

Useful organisations

DEFRA
What adaptation means and what the government is doing to prepare for climate change.

IDeA communities of practice
A website to support communities of practice. Includes one for environmental sustainability and climate change and the Nottingham Declaration.

Homes and Communities Academy
Information for professionals working to combat climate change.

CIRIA
Provides research and information to the construction industry.