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.
The RBKC Sustainability Service delivered a cross-departmental workshop on climate adaptation and resilience. The aim was to start a conversation with colleagues around local extreme weather scenarios and explore service-specific risk profiles. Senior coordination and buy-in meant most departments were well represented and laid the groundwork for effective governance around adaptation.
How did it start?
The workshop was initiated and supported by Senior Management engaged key departments and services across the organisation, asking questions about climate impacts on services and communities and how to reduce them. This followed increasing interest from communities around how climate change is impacting them locally and how resilience can be increased. RBKC’s Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP), Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and Corporate Risk Register looked at extreme weather risks, but the Council wanted to focus further on localised adaptation and resilience actions.
How does it build resilience?
The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for Sustainability is accountable for the delivery of the CEAP, which enabled close engagement with Executive Management and Lead Members on climate change and adaptation, helping the workshop to take place. Outcomes of the assessment will be shared with Senior Management for further discussion. Service-specific follow up sessions will help to update action plans to cover adaptation risks comprehensively. Leadership also recognise that enhancing resilience requires collaboration with communities. A workshop with the Leadership Team in 2025 will coincide with the annual Carbon Performance Report release to review progress on net zero and climate resilience together.
What are the challenges?
Increasing understanding of extreme weather risks across various services and quantifying their impacts for effective adaptation-focused investment.
Conclusion
Senior leadership is crucial to ensuring that climate adaptation and resilience become a priority. A council-wide approach working with the local community is also needed.
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.
Contact information
Anca Giurgiu
[email protected]