Making the UK More Resilient to a Warming World

Fiona cracks a joke with Tom, Leah and Kit

November 2024

Featuring: Tom Pakenham (Moderator): Founder, AdaptationUK; Commercial Director, Net Zero, Centrica; Kit England: Senior Climate Adaptation Specialist, Paul Watkiss Associates; Committee Member (Adaptation), BSI; Leah Ramoutar: Director of Environmental Sustainability, Aviva

Tuesdays’s panel discussion, moderated by Tom Pakenham, founder of AdaptationUK, was a powerful exploration into the UK's climate resilience. In light of rising global temperatures and increasingly visible impacts—from floods to wildfires—the urgency of a bold adaptation strategy was underscored.

Key insights emerged on the importance of prioritizing resilience across critical areas:
🌊 Water, Health, and Biodiversity: Kit England from Paul Watkiss Associates emphasized how climate risks vary regionally and evolve over time, stressing the need for strategic, localized solutions.
🏭 Infrastructure and Economic Security: Leah Ramoutar, B.Sc, FCA Ramoutar, Director of Environmental Sustainability at Aviva, highlighted the importance of proactive investment in resilient assets. Her insights into Aviva’s work, from flood defenses to nature-based solutions, offered a strong case for the role of private-sector commitment in building a sustainable future.

The panel didn’t shy away from tough questions:
Who pays for resilience? As budgets tighten, public and private sectors must explore new financial tools and partnerships, such as targeted tax credits, innovative insurance models, and incentives for climate-ready infrastructure.

Can adaptation drive economic opportunity? The conversation pointed to the growing green jobs market and the chance for businesses and institutions to lead in adaptation strategies, like Germany’s recent push for green roofs and other local measures.

A particularly inspiring takeaway was the call to action for all stakeholders to step up—not just to mitigate but to adapt our economy, communities, and ecosystems. We must balance immediate action with long-term vision to address risks that will impact us for decades to come.

Thank you to Tom, Kit, Leah, and all participants for a dynamic discussion on resilience, equity, and the shared responsibility of preparing for a changing climate.
This conversation is just the beginning—let’s keep pushing for a sustainable, climate-ready future.

Interested in contributing to this movement? Connect with AdaptationUK to volunteer, support, or learn more about their mission.