London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham: Climate risk assessment and adaptation strategy

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.

Hammersmith & Fulham worked with AtkinsRealis to conduct a climate risk assessment of services and the wider borough and used this to inform a climate adaptation strategy. The aim was to understand how the borough can reduce climate risk, identify adaptation measures, assess preparedness and track the costs and benefits of actions.

Rising climate impacts meant there was a need for the borough to create a dedicated adaptation strategy alongside climate mitigation efforts. The council needed a further level of detail beyond the existing high-level adaptation measures included in the climate action plan to support implementation. A climate risk assessment was needed to identify and prioritise adaptation interventions within the strategy. 

The focus of the risk assessment and strategy is to mainstream adaptation into long term decision making and capital investment. An adaptive capacity survey assessed the borough’s preparedness and supported the development of the strategy, which has helped identify strength and gaps for delivering adaptation actions. 

Community engagement was included as part of the assessment, using qualitative data to make the findings more impactful. Other departments were consulted through officer workshops and information gathering stages. The council created a high-level monitoring plan and a live costings spreadsheet which can be updated in real time allowing for analysis of adaptation interventions. 

The consultants required significant data which took time to collate and there were some data quality issues. There are limited data already collected that enable granular and accurate forecasting of climate risks, such as which properties will overheat or are at risk of flooding, so the process has highlighted an area for future development. Overall, it was a smooth process with good engagement across the organisation. 

A climate risk assessment can help identify vulnerable areas and inform an adaptation strategy, to enable collaboration across a council and target adaptation projects. 

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 London Councils website.

LB Hammersmith & Fulham, Atkins Realis Risk Assessment Summary

Phoebe Shaw Stewart 
London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham 
[email protected]