Changing behaviour: adapting to climate change
LUC’s adaptation work helps ensure we are equipped to minimise the impacts and realise the opportunities presented by climate change.
Climate change is occurring and will continue to have significant impacts, no matter how effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions prove to be. An important strand of our work focuses on adapting to the changing climate and its effects, such as rising sea levels, increases in flooding, higher summer temperatures and more frequent droughts. Helping the planning system build climate change adaptation into development plans at regional, strategic and local levels has become a key area of expertise.
We look at the vulnerability of rural communities and economies to climate change across the UK, and undertake pioneering research into the effects of climate change on landscapes' character. We help plan for future landscapes that may take on different functional roles.
Our ecologists and landscape planners recognise the importance of helping plants and animals adapt to the changing climate, promoting habitat networks and ‘rewilding’ measures to make habitats more resilient. Our work contributes to flood management and provides other wider benefits to society.
Projects
Climate change planning toolkit
Preparing guidance for developers and local authorities on adapting to climate change
Research study into adaptation responses to climate change for new development in the England Growth Areas'
Researching the implications of climate change for landscapes in Scotland
Regional Climate Change Implementation Plan for SE England
Planning for future landscapes in the South West of England
A study of the implications of climate change for the vulnerability of rural communities and communities