Adapting to Climate Change

Climate Change Adaptation

Changes to our climate will have an impact on lifestyles, the economy, and on our natural and our built environments. For example, it is projected that by 2080, summers could be up to 4.5ºC warmer than they are today. In dense urban areas such as Islington temperatures could increase by as much as 9ºC.

While we act to slow down climate change, we also need to adapt to inevitable climate change. The council will work with service providers, employers and the wider community to help us cope with the changes and make the best use of opportunities.

How will Islington’s climate change?

We cannot be sure of the exact level of change but the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) has developed a new set of climate projections. They predict the main impacts of climate change on Islington are likely to include:

• an increase in the number of days in summer over 25ºC
• more frequent intense rainfall in winter (increased flooding)
• less rainfall in summer (higher risk of drought)
• increasing number and unpredictability of severe weather incidents

Islington may be particularly affected due to the number of buildings giving off heat, the limited area of green space and its dense population. These contribute to making the borough hotter and preventing rainfall seeping into the ground.

Action on adaptation

The council has produced its first Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and is taking steps to embed adaptive actions into everyday work. These include areas such as planning and green space. You can download the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy below.

For further information on adapting buildings to climate change please see Buildings and Climate Change Adaptation and Good practice guidance on climate change and biodiversity in Related Information.