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May 2025 Newsletter

Posted on 16/05/25 by Yisum Heneghan

📢 Announcement

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Rapid Adaptation Pathways Assessment Toolkit launched 

This is a facilitator’s guide to implementing Rapid Adaptation Pathways Assessments (RAPA). It offers practical advice on conducting workshops both in-person and online. It has been jointly produced by ADEPT and the Environment Agency. 

The RAPA Toolkit provides a structured framework for local authorities to undertake basic adaptation pathways assessments through collaborative workshops with stakeholders. This approach supports strategic, flexible decision-making in the face of climate uncertainty, widely recognised as global best practice in adaptation planning. 

 

🗒️ Reports, guides and studies released 

The London Surface Water Strategy 

The London Surface Water Strategy Vision is of a London that has increased resilience to surface water flooding through collective action that benefits people, places and the environment. 

The Strategy sets out the Flood Ready London collective approach to delivering this Vision by aligning our efforts and bringing together stakeholders around common goals. Following the 2021 flooding, we agreed that our focus must be on increasing resilience and adaptation, reducing flood risk to minimise its impact when it does occur, and making recovery quicker and easier. The Strategy will mobilise the step change our city needs to become more prepared, sustainable, and safe, especially for the most vulnerable. It defines how we can work together across London to plan and deliver solutions that reduce surface water flood risk, while empowering positive action by, and creating benefits for, everyone who lives in, works in, and visits our city.  

SuDS Sector Guidance 

Sector-specific sustainable drainage (SuDS) guidance has been developed as part of the Reimaging Rainwater series. These documents explain the importance of SuDS, as well as key considerations involved with their planning and delivery. SuDS contribute to climate change resilience and unlock a host of benefits – from boosting biodiversity and improving water quality to enhancing public spaces and futureproofing infrastructure. 

The first six in the series are designed for facilities managers or those responsible for the quality and upkeep of premises and their surrounding estate. 

Green Alliance’s Climate adaptation priorities: five tests for the spending review 

Climate change is increasingly threatening UK infrastructure, health and economic growth through regular flooding and extreme heat events. In this briefing, Green Alliance outline five essential tests for the upcoming spending review that would demonstrate serious commitment to climate resilience, focusing on maintaining adequate funding for flood prevention, promoting natural solutions, supporting home adaptation measures and channelling both public and private investment toward climate resilience. 

Effective climate adaptation is an “invest to save” strategy supporting broader government objectives. With millions of homes at risk from flooding and extreme heat posing a serious risk to public health, their practical recommendations would protect vulnerable communities while promoting economic stability. 

CCC: England’s approach to climate adaptation is ‘not working’ 

The “vast majority” of the UK government’s plans to prepare for climate hazards have made virtually no progress over the past two years, according to the Climate Change Committee (CCC). 

Holborn Heat Resilience Study 

Camden Council commissioned Shade the UK to undertake a Heat Resilience Study for the HLN area. This is because the Council recognises that resilience to a changing climate is essential for a healthy, attractive, and inclusive liveable neighbourhood.  

The Heat Resilience Study has assessed heat risk across Holborn by analysing heat exposure (the susceptibility of external spaces to the adverse effects of extreme heat, determined by five measures of heat/sun exposure applied to a 3D massing model of the HLN) and heat vulnerability (the susceptibility of individuals, communities, or spaces to the adverse effects of extreme heat, which is determined by socioeconomic, physiological and psychological factors . The study has identified targeted adaptation measures to enhance heat resilience in the public realm, aligning with all five of the key HLN project outcomes – Safe, Efficient, Green, Active, and Connected. 

Climate adaptation report 2025 | The Pensions Regulator 

The Pensions Regulator have released a report outlining their contribution to the national assessment of the resilience of the UK to climate change and future adaptation priorities. The report also covers how the Pensions Regulator are supporting their regulated community to meet the risks and challenges of climate change. 

Ofgem climate resilience report – fourth round reporting 

Ofgem have published their climate resilience report, it identified the progress that has been made on climate resilience throughout the energy sector. The report also outlines Ofem’s priorities for addressing the ongoing challenges to continue to ensure that our future energy system is resilient to climate change. 

Copernicus: Second-warmest April globally – Global temperature still more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial 

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) have reported that April 2025 was the second-warmest April globally on record. 

 

📰 News 

London councils yet to spend £130m in local climate funds | Carbon offsetting | The Guardian The Guardian, 26th April 

Temperatures remain above 1.5C threshold after second hottest April on record | The Standard The Standard, 8th May 

Map shows 80% of England’s peatlands dry and degraded – BBC News BBC News, 12th May 

‘I felt I couldn’t keep my baby safe’: Warning of heat impact on pregnant women and newborns | Science, Climate & Tech News | Sky News Sky News, 14th May 

Climate change is damaging capital’s trees, experts warn London Assembly | The Standard The Standard, 14th May 

 

📅 Events 

Climate and Impact Summit Europe  – 21st – 22nd May 

The Financial Times are hosting a Climate and Impact Summit online and in person in London. A range of World Leading Speakers will attend this event to discuss topics such as climate mitigation and adaptation, accountability and regulation, technologies, and innovation; human capital; resilient supply chains; and consumption and resources. 

Promoting Equity in London through Climate Action – Report Launch 

Join London Councils at County Hall for the launch of their new report into promoting equity in London through climate action. Discover the findings and recommendations from their latest report on how we can tackle climate change while promoting equity in London. We will hear from Cllr Kieron Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Transport, Environment, and Climate Change, and a panel of experts. Teas and coffees will be provided. 

Accelerating Social Change in Response to the Climate and Ecological Crisis – 6th June 10am –5pm 

The School of Politics and International Studies from the University of Leeds are hosting this event in the Friends House, London. The event is open to researchers, activists, policy makers, social entrepreneurs, campaigners, artists, communicators etc. who are working on climate change and the ecological crisis. A policy brief will be collaboratively written based on this event.  

Reset Connect London – 24th-25th June 

Reset Connect London will be hosting an event at Excel London during London Climate Action Week. A range of sustainability professionals will be representing sectors such as energy, finance, and the government. 

Cities Climate Action Summit – 24th-25th June 

SmartCitiesWorld just announced a full programme of executive-level roundtables and hands-on workshops, running alongside inspiring keynotes, panel discussions, and solution-focused presentations. These sessions will convene leaders from local, regional, and national governments to exchange breakthrough ideas and practical strategies for accelerating climate action at the city and regional level. 

The London Surface Water Strategy – Increasing Resilience Through Collective Action – 25th June, 2-3pm online 

Please join us for a webinar during London Climate Action Week, providing insight into the London Surface Water Strategy following publication on 14 May 2025.  

The London Surface Water Flooding Strategy Vision is of a London that has increased resilience to surface water flooding through collective action that benefits people, places and the environment. 

Climate Innovation Forum – 25th-26th June 

The Climate Innovation Forum will host over 2000 business leaders, policy makers, investors, and civil society to discuss how London can deliver on innovative climate solutions. 

The Flooding Resilience Conference 2025 – 25th September 

This conference will be held online to discuss the latest updates on government policy to improve national flood resilience. There will be an opportunity to network with a range of speakers from across the public sector and to gain tools and strategies to improve partnership working. If you would like to sign up use the discount code ‘EARLY20’.  

 

📂 Consultations 

Towards a new London Plan – consultation | London City Hall 

We are working on the next London Plan now. Share your thoughts on our consultation, ‘Towards a new London Plan’. This has been developed by the Mayor, in collaboration with Londoners, London’s boroughs, businesses, education providers, community representatives and more. The consultation period will run for 6 weeks from Friday 9 May 2025 to Sunday 22 June 2025 at 11:59pm.