Reflecting on credible climate action - key takeaways from our London Climate Action Week session
Our panel discussion at London Climate Action Week (LCAW) explored some of the most pressing climate challenges facing organisations today. As climate impacts continue to be felt across the UK, the key message from that conversation remains highly relevant. Read on to find out more.
Credible climate adaptation isn't about having all the answers. It's about making well-reasoned decisions in the face of uncertainty...
That might sound like a subtle distinction, but it emerged as one of the strongest themes throughout the discussion. Bringing together perspectives from engineering, insurance, climate risk and organisational capability, the panel explored what it really means to demonstrate credible action on climate change. Despite approaching the topic from different angles, there was remarkable consistency in the themes that emerged.
Climate risks are no longer abstract future scenarios. They are already affecting organisations today.
The discussion wasn't centred on proving that climate change is happening or debating whether organisations should respond. Instead, it focussed on a more practical challenge: how to make decisions that are proportionate, transparent and able to stand up to scrutiny.
One of the strongest messages was that uncertainty should not become a reason for inaction. Climate projections will continue to evolve, but organisations still need to make decisions today. Rather than trying to predict the future perfectly, the discussion highlighted the importance of making robust decisions using the best evidence available now, while remaining flexible enough to adapt as understanding develops.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the conversation was how little time was actually spent discussing climate science itself. Instead, the discussion focussed on leadership, governance, organisational culture and decision-making. Many organisations already understand the risks they face. The greatest challenge is building the confidence, capability and governance needed to translate that understanding into meaningful action.
Adaptation works best when it's embedded
Another recurring theme was that successful organisations don't treat climate adaptation as a standalone initiative.
Instead, climate considerations become part of existing business processes, informing investment decisions, risk management, asset management and long-term planning. In other words, adaptation becomes part of how organisations make good decisions, rather than a separate activity.
The discussion also highlighted that different audiences engage with climate risk in different ways. Building organisational capability isn't simply about sharing more information. It's about presenting climate risk in ways that are meaningful and relevant to different stakeholders, helping each understand both their role and the actions available to them.
Dr Ben Rabb, Technical Director, Climate Risk & Adaptation
"The fact that London Climate Action Week itself was disrupted by an extreme heatwave underlines the point: we already know enough to start acting. Credible adaptation isn't about predicting the future perfectly, it's about making robust decisions today that remain flexible as conditions change."
From discussion to action
Perhaps the clearest indication of where the conversation is heading came after the event itself.
One of the audience questions explored whether organisations should act now or wait for more evidence. The discussion made it clear that uncertainty should not become a barrier to progress. In the week following LCAW, Flood Re announced major reforms to how home resilience will be measured, incentivised and supported, providing a tangible example of organisations moving from discussion to action.
For those who were unable to join the session, or would like to revisit the discussion, the recording is available here.
If the discussion has prompted you to think more about climate adaptation capability within your own organisation, alongside Climate Sense we have developed a range of learning resources to support that journey, including a free introductory eLearning module and our training programme on adaptation planning using the ISO 14090 framework. Find out more here.
