In 2024 Southwark Council adopted a Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy as an extension of their existing Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (2021). The strategy aims to prepare the borough for the impacts of climate change while addressing inequalities.
Introduction
This case study was collected by London Councils as part of their London Leading: Case Studies in Climate Resilience Leadership report, which showcases how London boroughs are making climate adaptation a priority and embedding action within councils.
In 2024 Southwark Council adopted a Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy as an extension of their existing Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (2021). The strategy aims to prepare the borough for the impacts of climate change while addressing inequalities.
How did it start?
The Council’s Climate Action Plan included the preparation of a resilience and adaptation strategy as a key action. The 2022 heatwaves emphasised the need for prioritising adaptation and resilience. Council leaders were committed to addressing climate change, knowing that climate impacts would exacerbate existing inequalities. Southwark framed climate resilience as essential for the Council’s ‘Southwark 2030’ vision for the borough.
What is the main approach or principles to developing the adaptation strategy?
The strategy aligns with the national Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3) and responds to a 2°C global temperature increase by 2050, planning for a 4°C rise. Engaging residents and communities with the highest climate risk is a primary objective. The strategy has 24 actions across five themes: heat, flood, water scarcity, food security and the local economy, and pest and diseases.
It focuses on outcomes like decent homes, a resilient local economy and a healthy environment, and principles such as empowering people through co-design, reducing inequality and protecting vulnerable residents.
Clear goals and actions are assigned with efforts to integrate adaptation and resilience into Southwark’s decarbonisation and wider programmes. The strategy will be reviewed in 2025.
How does it build resilience?
Mainstreaming climate adaptation and resilience within the council ensure systematic consideration of climate impacts rather than treating them as standalone issues. Awareness of compounding climate impacts on services and staff training are key components. This links with the Southwark Insights and Intelligence Programme (SIIP) 2024 - 2027, a data and capacity-building programme supporting initiatives like the ‘hot homes’ pilot to reduce heatwave impacts on vulnerable residents.
The SIPP will support Southwark’s climate team to develop a dashboard for improved decision-making in climate risk management, integrating adaptation datasets into existing digital transformation projects. £1 million has been allocated from the climate capital fund for climate adaptation projects.
This sits alongside core budgets for flood protection, highways, tree planting and asset management, and a £1 million biodiversity allocation that supports nature-based solutions. Southwark also uses S106 and Cleaner Greener Safer funding to deliver community-led projects.
What are the challenges?
- Uncertainties: Addressing multiple climate risks and evolving the strategy to respond to changing demands while considering resource limitations and climate uncertainties.
- Funding and engagement: Securing funds for adaptation measures and maintaining engagement with stakeholders to enhance strategy’s impact.
- Communicating climate impacts: Mainstreaming climate change awareness in terms of day-to-day operations and health impacts to better engage council colleagues and telling the story how adaptation action will deliver corporate priorities for decent homes and a healthy environment
Conclusion
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.
This case study was collected by London Councils as part London Leading: Case Studies in Climate Resilience Leadership report. You can view the full report on the London Councils website.