climateuk tools review

8/12/2019 ClimateUK Tools Review

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Review ofAdaptation

Tools

Delivered by Sustainability West Midlands


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Climate UK is a not-for-profit Community of Interest Company working with Climate Change

Partnerships across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to help the UK limited

climate change and be resilient to its effects. By bringing together local kno wledge and technical

expertise from a range of sectors we aim to investigate, inform and advise on risks and

opportunities presented by climate change; and coordinate and support integrated, sustainable

and effective responses.

For more information on this publication please contact Simon Slater on 0121 237 5890 or

[email protected].

2012 Climate Partnership UK CiC

www.climate.uk.net


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Contents

1 Introduction 11.1 Purpose 11.2 Approach 21.3 How to use this report 2

2 Adaptation tools 32.1 Tools for general use 32.2 Tools for local authorities 122.3 Tools for businesses 19

3 Research findings and recommendations 27

Appendix 1: Tools considered for review but not included 32 Appendix 2: Research Interviews 33

Interview Script 34Summary of research interview findings 37


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Foreword

A good outcome of this report would be a ban on any new public funded adaptation tool, and the

savings used to support us to use the ones we already have and arent using.

These are the words of one of our business members at a recent West Midlands Climate Adaptation

Partnership and are in essence the summary of our research.

To our knowledge this is the first independent review of climate adaptation tools in the UK, focusing

on the informed experiences of a diverse range of local organisations and partners across the UK

represented by the Climate UK member partnerships. Thanks to all those that participated in the

research.

The good news is there are lots of good tools and resources out there; the bad news is there is poor

awareness of these and which ones to use. We hope this report begins to address this awareness

issue and helps Climate UK continue to deliver its role to investigate, inform and advise on risks and

opportunities presented by climate change and to co-ordinate and support integrated, sustainable

and effective responses.

Dr Simon Slater,

Director of Climate UK


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Climate UKReview of Adaptation Tools 1

1 Introduction

1.1 Purpose

Climate UK is a not-for-profit national network organisation which supports local action on climate

change throughout the UK. It was incorporated in 2011 as a Community Interest Company by the

nine Climate Change Partnerships across England and their equivalents in Wales, Scotland and

Northern Ireland.

Climate UK aims to investigate, inform and advise on risks and opportunities presented by climate

change and to co-ordinate and support integrated, sustainable and effective responses. Through its

network of trusted and independent Climate Change Partnerships, it can uniquely offer both local

and national coverage by bringing together local knowledge and technical expertise from a range of

sectors.

Climate UK appointed SWM to conduct a review of adaptation tools available within the UK. The

purpose of the review was to summarise the range of tools available, providing details of target

users, description, mode of delivery, useful features, and access for each tool.

The review has focused on the following:

Tools that are suitable for Climate UKs main local customers such as local

authorities, small to medium businesses, and other similar public and voluntary sector

organisations;

Tools with an interactive element, e.g. questionnaires, spreadsheets or other tools

that generate outputs based on data input by the user;

Tools that provide guidance through a process, e.g. a document or web pages

designed to support the user through a process of awareness raising, assessingimpacts or identifying adaptive responses;

Resource packs, e.g. presentations and or exercises to use for raising awareness of

climate/extreme weather impacts and the need for adaptive responses.

The review has not included documents or reports that simply provide information about climate

change impacts and adaptive responses unless they also have at least one of the characteristics

described above. Nor has the review included tools that have a limited geographical applicability or

that require a financial outlay to access them. The review has focused on tools created for UK use

rather than international tools. We have focused mainly on tools designed for use by local

authorities and or small to medium businesses, since these are amongst the main outreach

audiences for the climate partnerships.


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2 Climate UKReview of Adaptation Tools

1.2 Approach

The tools included in the review have been identified through a combination of internet research and

consultation with Climate UK member partnerships. The initial scoping identified 37 potential tools

for review. Then after consultation with Climate UK, this was focused down on to 22. The tools in

the scoping exercise that were excluded and the rationale is in Appendix 1

The review itself of the 22 tools has been conducted through a combination of internet and desk

research and semi-structured telephone interviews with representatives of each of the member

partnerships of the Climate UK network, UKCIP, the Environment Agency, and other national

stakeholders.

The review is therefore based both on an objective review of the characteristics of each of the tools

included, and qualitative user perspectives. Appendix 2 provides additional information about the

research interviews and findings for each tool.

1.3 How to use this report

The remainder of this report provides summary information about a range of adaptation tools. For

each tool, we have presented in tabular form the following information:

Name

Whether it is a tool, resource pack or guidance through a process

Originating organisation

Target users

Technical knowledge required

Description

Mode of delivery

Access

Useful features

Limitations

Additional associated resources

Related tools

Weblink/contact details

National Adaptation Programme (NAP) themes addressed

Further notes/ recommendations on use

Reference

All weblinks are l ive at the time of publication (October 2012). A CD-ROM containing all of the

downloadable tools has been provided to Climate UK separately.


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2 Adaptation tools

This section of the report summarises the findings of the review. Information about each tool is

presented in an individual table. The tools have been divided into those designed for general use,

those designed specifically for local authorities, and those designed for use by business.

2.1 Tools for general use

UKCIP Risk Framework

Tool/Resource

Pack/Process

Process

Originating Organisation UKCIP

Target users General

Technical knowledge

required

Some understanding of organisational climate risks.

Description A step-by-step decision-making framework to help

organisations/businesses assess what adaptation measures are most

appropriate for them. It is an 8-stage iterative process to help

decision-makers identify and manage climate risks in the face of

uncertainty, and is based on standard decision-making and risk

principles, to encourage users to consider climate risks alongside

non-climate risk.

Mode of delivery Pdf technical report.

Access Free to all via UKCIP website

Useful features Provides a comprehensive account of a risk-based approach to

climate adaptation decision-making grounded in a strong theoretical

framework. The framework helps organisations to identify important

risk factors and understand the uncertainty associated with each. It

helps users think about how to take uncertainty into consideration in

their decision-making now in order to avoid over-adaptation, under-

adaptation or maladaptive responses (i.e. actions that make


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adaptation more challenging/difficult or create new problems).

Provides a distinction between climate adaptation decisions (where

climate impacts are the sole reason for considering a decision) and

climate-influenced decisions (where climate is one of a number of

factors of differing importance affecting a decision). Defines climate

adaptation constraining decisions (where decisions reduce the

adaptation options available now and/or in the future) and no-regret

climate adaptation options (where no apparent uncertainty exists as

to the best adaptation option to implement). Sets out an 8 stage

process:

1. Identify problem and objectives

2. Establish decision-making criteria

3. Assess risk

4. Identify options

5. Appraise options

6. Make decision

7. Implement decision

8. Monitor, evaluate and review

Basing the decision-making framework on consideration of risk

means this process fits well with existing risk management

techniques. Provides a framework which other UKCIP tools fit

Name UKCIP Risk Framework (continued)

Limitations Pdf format isn't particularly flexible. Because it is so comprehensive it

is a very lengthy document and this may be intimidating or off-putting

to users. Somewhat technical, more suitable for use by those already

familiar with risk management.

Additional associated

resources

Examples and case studies that illustrate how the Framework can be

used are provided on the UKCIP website.

Related tools Other UKCIP tools, particularly Adaptation Wizard

Weblink/contact details http://www.ukcip.org.uk/risk/

NAP themes addressed Applicable to all

Further notes/

recommendations on use

Fits well within existing risk management processes - intended for

use where there is already a risk management approach. Users can

call on UKCIP expertise to help tailor the Framework for their own

use.

Reference Willows, R.I. And Connell, R. K. (Eds.) (2003) Climate adaptation:

Risk, uncertainty and decision-making. UKCIP Technical Report.

UKCIP, Oxford.


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UKCIP Adaptation Wizard

Tool/Resource Pack/Process Process


Target users General: businesses/organisations that are new to climate change

and don't have a good understanding of their climate risks

Technical knowledge required None

Description A 5-step process to help organisations assess their vulnerability to

current climate and future climate change, identify options to address

key climate risks, and help develop and implement a climate change

adaptation strategy

Mode of delivery Dedicated section of UKCIP website structured with a subsection for

each stage in the process. Also available as a pdf.


Useful features Comprehensive, step-by-step approach to thinking through themotivation for adapting, considering likely challenges, assessing

vulnerability to the current climate (through the impact of previous

weather events) and to future climate change (using UKCP09

scenarios), and identifying, assessing and implementing adaptation

responses. Provides a framework into which other tools can fit at the

appropriate point. Also identifies other potentially useful resources

and references at each stage. Continuously updated by UKCIP in

response to user feedback.

Limitations Very extensive/intensive process with very detailed outputs. May not

be appropriate for "beginners". The name Wizard may imply that

this tool does it all for you which is not the case.


resources "Notepad" document in Word containing key questions from

the Wizard that require an answer or response, with space for

responses to be input;

Tables in Excel format for download and completion;

Six case studies of organisations that have worked through the

wizard.

Related tools Other UKCIP tools

Weblink/contact details http://www.ukcip.org.uk/wizard/


Further notes/


UKCIPs view is that the Adaptation Wizard can be flexible in use

and neednt be followed to the letter. Climate UK partners have used

the Wizard for awareness raising, to provide stimulus for discussion

in workshops and as a reference in developing climate change action

plans. To apply the Adaptation Wizard as it is intended may benefit

from some support/guidance rather than being something an

organisation attempts independently.

Reference UKCIP (2010) The UKCIP Adaptation Wizard V 3.0. UKCIP, Oxford


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UKCIP Costings Spreadsheet

Tool/Resource Pack/Process Tool


Target users General: decision-makers in public and private sector organisations

Technical knowledge

required

No particular technical knowledge

Requires access to data about costs of extreme weather events to the

area in question i.e. high temperatures and/or flooding

Description Spreadsheet tool designed to allow users to estimate the costs of extreme

weather events currently and in the future based on socio-economic and

climate change scenarios. Intended to support decisions on action to

prevent/minimise climate change impacts. Should be used alongside UKCIP

reports on costing the impact of climate change in the UK.

Mode of delivery Excel spreadsheet downloadable from UKCIP website; accompanied by a

suite of pdf guidance (detailed implementation guidelines for economistswho need specific guidance on valuing climate change impacts at local,

regional or national scale, disaggregated by sector; and an overview of the

guidelines, for non-economists, which provides an appreciation of the

methodology without too much technical detail).


Useful features Allows users to select an extreme weather event (either overheating or

flooding) and input the costs of that event for their user-defined

geographical area in terms of health, agriculture, transport, and the

built environment. Allows user-defined variables for all of these

categories as well as pre-defined.

Calculates total cost of event and then applies UKCIP socio-economic

scenarios and climate change scenarios to calculate the annual costs

of such events under each scenario. Allows user-defined socio-

economic scenarios and detailed user-defined scenarios for the

agricultural sector.

Limitations Complex and not particularly user-friendly. Developed some time ago -

costings knowledge has moved on, and the tool doesn't necessarily

reflect that.

Additional resources Includes implementation guidelines and case studies.

Related tools Other UKCIP tools.

Weblink/contact details http://www.ukcip.org.uk/costings/

NAP themes addressed Businesses and Services; Health and Wellbeing; Built Environment

and Infrastructure; Agriculture and forestry

Further notes/


Can be used to provide examples in an engagement setting.

Reference Metroeconomica (2007) "Spreadsheet Tool for Costing Extreme

Weather Event Impacts of Climate Change", prepared for the UK

Climate Impacts Programme.


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AdaptMe

Tool/Resource

Pack/Process

Process


Target users General: organisations wishing to evaluate their adaptation plan and its

implementation

Technical knowledge

required

None; but will require understanding of own organisation's adaptation

plan and access to required data/information

Description Website guiding organisations through the process of evaluating

adaptation performance. Represents a new approach from UKCIP -

providing guidance on how to use available tools rather than producing

a new tool.

Mode of delivery Dedicated section of UKCIP website structured with a page for eachstep in the process. Also available as a pdf.


Useful features Structured under 3 headings: Fundamentals, Adaptation Challenges,

and Measuring Performance.

"Fundamentals" includes guidance on refining evaluation purpose and

objectives, defining what is being evaluated, and the assumptions

involved, along with considering who to involve and how to

communicate the findings.

"Adaptation Challenges" considers the challenges and limitations

inherent in the evaluation, and how to evaluate unexpected andunintended impacts.

"Measuring Performance" considers how to measure e.g. against

objectives, a baseline, good practice and what to measure e.g. metrics

and indicators.

Presents challenging concepts in a manageable way.

Limitations May be too detailed and not sufficiently practically focused for local

authorities. Could potentially be improved with a 'light' version.


resources


Weblink/contact details http://www.ukcip.org.uk/adaptme-toolkit/


Further notes/


Structure of pdf document does not follow structure of website - covers

same sections but not under the three headings and not in the same

order.

Reference Pringle, P. 2011. AdaptME: Adaptation monitoring and evaluation.

UKCIP, Oxford, UK


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Norfolk County Council Climate Change Adaptation Tool

Tool/Resource

Pack/Process

Tool

Originating Organisation Norfolk County Council

Target users General: climate change risk assessment applicable to any

organisation

Technical knowledge

required

None; guidance document provides a grounding in UKCIP scenarios

and assumes the reader is a relative beginner

Description Spreadsheet tool designed to guide organisations through a process

of climate change risk assessment (including vulnerabilities and

opportunities), evaluating and deciding on adaptive responses to the

risks identified, and implementing and reviewing those responses.

Mode of delivery Excel spreadsheet accompanied by guidance document in pdf format.Access Free to all via Norfolk County Council website

Useful features Allows users to identify up to 50 opportunity/vulnerability factors;

record climate changes impacting on these; and assess risk

(likelihood x impact).

Evaluation framework includes weighted analysis of up to 10 potential

adaptation responses for each of the 50 risks in terms of acceptability

(political and social), the economics of the investment (capital

investment required and cost-benefit analysis), the effects of the

response (suitability of the response, and environmental effects), and

deliverability (resources required, and potential for delivery in

partnership).

Default weighting for these criteria can be altered by the user.

Also provides a spreadsheet for calculating cost -benefit analysis over

up to 30 years.

Limitations Very comprehensive process, requiring input from multiple service

areas, so likely to be a time-consuming and potentially complex

process to complete.


resources

Guidance document available as pdf

Weblink/contact details http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/Environment/Climate_change/Adapting_to_

climate_change/NCC094984

NAP themes addressed All

Reference Bellamy, R. and Aron, H. (2010): "Climate Adaptation Tool". Norfolk

Climate Change Partnership.


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GRaBS Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Tool

Tool/Resource

Pack/Process

Tool

Originating Organisation GRaBS Partnership (TCPA, University of Manchester, Climate

Change North West, Southampton and Sutton)Target users General: intended for use in preparation of adaptation action plans;

can be used for stakeholder and community engagement

Technical knowledge

required

None to use the publicly available data, although access to

Geographical Information System (GIS) data and some

understanding of GIS necessary to overlay own data sets.

Description Risk and vulnerability assessment tool, to aid the strategic planning

of climate change adaptation responses - focuses on current

vulnerability to flooding and heat stress, with evaluation of risk factors

where suitable data is available

Mode of delivery Interactive website in map format (built on Google Maps) with usermenu to select layers of data for display. Accompanying user

guidance in pdf format.

Access Free to all via GRaBS website

Useful features User can select layers of data to display on map including baseline

climate factors (temperature and precipitation) and 2080s med/high

and med/low climate projections (temperature and precipitation);

climate hazards (drought, extreme temperature, river flood, forest fire,

storm surge, storm hazard); civil infrastructure; population structure;

urban development; green and blue space.

It is possible for the user to overlay their own GIS spatial data on thewebsite.

Limitations Limited publicly available data outside partner geographies. Only

deals in current vulnerabilities, not future risks. Some data is not

particularly granular at UK regional scale.


resources

A selection of international case studies of use of green and blue

infrastructure for adaptation.

Related tools Other GRaBS tools

Weblink/contact details http://www.grabs-eu.org/assessment.php



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Community Training on Green Infrastructure

Tool/Resource

Pack/Process

Resource pack

Originating Organisation Climate Change North West (CLASP - Local Area Support Programme) &

Community Forests NorthwestTarget users General: organisations/individuals seeking to engage with community

groups.

Technical knowledge

required

Basic understanding of climate adaptation principles.

Description Package of training resources/activities to be delivered by

professionals seeking to engage with community groups on the need

for climate change adaptation and/or how their local green

infrastructure helps to adapt their neighbourhood to climate change.

Mode of delivery Web page on Green Infrastructure (NW) website, containing

proposed outline for training delivery and links to downloadable Wordand PowerPoint documents, the GRaBS mapping tool

Access Free to all via the Green Infrastructure (NW) website

Useful features Introduction to climate change including images to prompt discussion

of weather and climate and potential changes; also to explore the

differences between mitigation and adaptation as responses to

climate change. Presentations providing an introduction to green

infrastructure and its role in combating climate change.


resources

GRaBS mapping tool

Related tools Green Infrastructure Action Guidance; GRaBS tool

Weblink/contact details http://www.greeninfrastructurenw.co.uk/climatechange/training.htm

NAP themes addressed Natural environment; health and wellbeing; agriculture and forestry;

built environment and infrastructure

Further notes/


Produced for the North West but could be adapted for other areas.

Could potentially be used for awareness raising with elected

members as well as community groups.


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CREW Building Retrofit Toolkit

Tool/Resource

Pack/Process

Tool

Originating Organisation CREW (Community Resilience to Extreme Weather)

Target users Not specified, but subject matter indicates housing decision-makers.

Technical knowledge

required

Minimal

Description Web-based tool to assist in choosing retrofit adaptations to reduce

dwelling overheating during heatwaves. Also considers impact on

annual heating energy use and cost.

Mode of delivery Interactive website.

Access Free to all via CREW website. Requires registration.

Useful features Provides modelled impacts of implementing a range of retrofit

adaptations (window rules; curtains; night ventilation; solar reflective

roof/walls; internal solar reflective blinds; external shutters; low solar

heat gain triple glazing; external fixed shading) for a range of housing

types (detached; semi-detached; terrace; flats).

Allows the user to model impacts depending on orientation and

occupation of dwelling.

Limitations Limited applicability in terms of sector and project type.

Related tools Other CREW tools

Weblink/contact details http://www.iesd.dmu.ac.uk/crew/

NAP themes addressed Health and Wellbeing; Built Environment and Infrastructure

Further notes/


Probably most applicable to social landlords or local authorities with

large-scale retrofit programmes, but could be used by informed

householders.


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2.2 Tools for local authorities

Climate East Midlands Adaptation Matrices

Tool/Resource

Pack/Process

Tool

Originating Organisation Climate East Midlands

Target users Local Authorities

Technical knowledge

required

None

Description Set of 3 scoring matrices developed as part of the East Midlands

Planning to Adapt Project, to help Local Authorities and their partners

understand their current level of progress on adaptation to climate

change, and set 5 year targets.

Mode of delivery 3 pdf files on Climate East Midlands website, tailored slightly for tier 1authorities; tier 2 authorities; and any partner organisation.

Access Free to all via Climate East Midlands website

Useful features Allows users to rate their organisation on the following criteria:

Corporate strategy

Performance management

Responsibility

Data management

Communication and training

Finance and investment

Policy alignment

Partnership working (local authorities only)

Ratings are given on a scale of 1 (low) to 5 (high) for current

performance, and for target performance in 5 years. To help with

ratings, the matrices provide example characteristics of performance

at each level for each of the criteria. Users can also identify (by

ticking) which area(s) they think will provide the greatest challenge.

Each matrix is presented as a single A4 sheet. Simplicity allows easy

comparison between organisations.

Limitations Not all examples are relevant to all organisations and some require

some interpretation. Wording could make it clearer that the examples

are just examples rather than being a definition of performance ateach level. Doesnt provide any guidance as to how to improve

performance.


resources

Other Climate East Midlands resources available on website.

Weblink/contact details http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/embedding-adaptation-

matrices/



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Local Climate Impact Profiles (LCLIP)

Tool/Resource Pack/Process Process/resource pack


Target users Local Authorities and other organisations

Technical knowledge

required

None, although does require access to data on weather impacts for

the geography in question

Description Pack to guide organisations through a process designed to help assess

exposure to weather and climate. Highlights a localitys vulnerability to

severe weather events and how these events affect local communities as

well as local authority assets, infrastructure and capacity to deliver services.

Mode of delivery Online resource pack including guidance through the process,

example communications material, template documents, database

spreadsheet, useful information and tips, an LCLIP summary

template etc. in a variety of file formats


Useful features Provides a flexible framework through which local authorities and otherorganisations can explore their own vulnerability to potential climatechange impacts through examining the consequences of extremeweather events that have occurred in their geographical area in therecent past. The process considers the nature and magnitude of theconsequences of recent weather events; the agencies responsible formanaging the consequences; the preparedness of these agencies todeal with consequences of weather events. Through developing anunderstanding of current vulnerability, the LCLIP is intended to provide afirst step in understanding future vulnerability as a first step in developing

an adaptation strategy. The guidance breaks down the process intoeasy to follow stages (project planning, building a database, dataanalysis, outcomes and agenda for further work) with each stage brokendown further into discrete tasks. Comprehensive approach to identifyingcurrent vulnerability designed to build in-house adaptive capacity. Canbe scaled up to large geographies or down to smaller organisations.

Limitations Time and resource intensive - anticipated to take 7-11 weeks.Data/information about the costs of impacts is often not made publiclyavailable. Not a particularly accurate method of measuring impacts.Good for awareness raising but doesn't necessarily help to identify nextsteps. Has limited benefit in increasing adaptive capacity within anorganisation if contracted out or delegated to junior staff/intern. Possiblyperceived as outdated by local authorities; and those that have done it once

may be unlikely to devote resources to do it again. May be supersededby "real time" recording of impacts through tools such as SWIMS.


Weblink/contact details http://www.ukcip.org.uk/lclip/


Further notes/


If contracted out or allocated to junior staff may not have the desired

effect of building adaptive capacity

Reference UKCIP, 2009. A local climate impacts profile: how to do an LCLIP.


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CLASP Adaptation Resource Pack

Tool/Resource Pack/Process Resource Pack/Process

Originating Organisation Climate Change North West (CLASP - Local Area Support Programme)



Description Pack to guide authorities through the process of getting started with

adaptation activity and embedding adaptation into local authority

processes. Includes case studies and example risk assessments.

Mode of delivery Pdf document(s) on CLASP-NW website - available as individual pdf

files of each of the constituent parts, or the full pack as a single pdf.

Access Free to all via CLASP-NW website

Useful features Consists of four elements:"Why bother?" introduction that covers the justification for adaptation

action by local authorities in the absence of NI188.

"Getting started" section for authorities that are just beginning their work

on adaptation; includes a 3-stage guide to beginning adaptation work

(getting commitment, gathering information, and pulling it together), and

a checklist for evaluating current progress on adaptation.

"Accelerator pack" for authorities that are ready to start work on risk

assessment of service areas; concerned with embedding adaptation into

authority processes through risk assessment and includes suggested

approaches (e.g. using workshops and case studies) and examples.

Guides to risk assessment/adapting for five key service areas,

developed in partnership with five North West local authorities, setting

out step-by-step the process followed by each of the partner authorities

in completing a risk assessment for the service in question.

Planning and Development - Rossendale Borough Council;

Highways and Transport - Cheshire West and Chester Council;

Business Continuity - Pendle Borough Council;

Capital Assets - Wigan Council; and

Emergency Services - Liverpool City Council.

Limitations The documents provide a range of options rather than a prescriptive

process to follow, which may be too flexible an approach fororganisations wanting a set methodology.


resources

Other CLASP resources available on website.

Weblink/contact details http://www.claspinfo.org/resources/adaptation-risk-assessment-

resource-pack-all-documents-one



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Severe Weather Impacts Monitoring System (SWIMs)


Originating Organisation Kent County Council

Target users Local authorities and public sector partners (currently Kent only)


Description An online data capture facility enabling teams/business units torecord how their service is being affected by current and past severeweather events.

Mode of delivery Interactive web pages on Kent County Council website

Access Currently only accessible to Kent partners. Free for these partners touse. Requires registration.

Useful features Allows users to record impacts (i.e. how services and service usershave been affected during severe weather events) and responses

(i.e. how services have responded to an event in the immediate andlonger term). Enables organisations to share data to highlight goodpractice and so that common areas of vulnerability can be identifiedand addressed in partnership. Users receive an email alert when asevere weather event occurs and can then log on to the system torecord impacts and responses for their service. Impacts andresponses are recorded using a 5-stage process covering:

basic impact details (duration and flooding type if applicable);

cost details (costs of impacts to the service or serviceusers/residents);

reputation details (positive or negative reputational effects e.g.compliments and complaints received);

locality details (town or borough/district where impactsoccurred);

response details (pre-defined choice of response category,whether the response is short or long-term, a user rating of theeffectiveness of the response, and the cost of the response).

Users can log on at any point to update figures. The SWIMs tool alsoallows users to generate an event report summarising impacts andresponses for their business unit or team for an individual severeweather event.

Limitations Currently only accessible to Kent partners so geographicalapplicability is limited. Climate UK are currently in negotiation aboutpotential national support for roll-out hence the inclusion in thereview.

Weblink/contact details http://www.kent.gov.uk/environment_and_planning/environment_and_climate_change/climate_change/what_were_doing/swims.aspx


Further notes/


At the time of writing, the SWIMs tool is only accessible to Kent

partners, which means it has limited geographical applicability.

However, it could potentially provide useful indicative data for other

areas, and provides an interesting model for "real time" capture of

severe weather impacts. This could potentially be an interesting step

forward from the LCLIP methodology which may by now have

reached its maximum take-up.


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East Midlands Adaptation Risk Assessment methodology

Tool/Resource Pack/Process Process

Originating Organisation Climate East Midlands



Description Regional risk assessment methodology developed for the East

Midlands regional partnership of local authorities for work towards

National Indicator NI188 "Planning to Adapt to Climate Change"

Mode of delivery Pdf document on Climate East Midlands website, and associated Excel

risk assessment templates for council service areas, LSP objectives, and

LSP partners, and a template for collating risk assessments.

Access Free to all via Climate East Midlands website

Useful features Sets out a process involving:

interviews with service area managers and officers; desk based survey of organisational objectives and background;

desk-based survey of potential impacts;

screening of service areas to assess potential for high weather andclimate risks;

conducting risk assessment through individual interviews/meetingswith service area staff;

peer review of risk assessments;

production of risk descriptions; and

using the results of risk assessment to develop a NI188 AdaptationAction Plan.

The risk assessment methodology includes consideration of risks across

three timescales: 2020s, 2050s and 2080s as well as current risks.Annexes to the methodology provide definitions of probability (of a riskoccurring); descriptions/definitions of severity of consequences; a 5x5scoring matrix of likelihood against severity for use in the riskassessment; generic impact types; climate variables for consideration inrisk assessment; definitions of risk receptors; interview questionguidance; information about UKCP09; a worked example of the NI188risk assessment methodology; guidance notes on the NI188 riskassessment template(s).

Limitations Designed for NI188, which no longer exists but methodology is stillrelevant today. Very prescriptive approach, due to its use as acomparison tool amongst East Midlands Local authorities so theprescriptive approach as a limitation depends on how the methodology isused. Possibly over-complex for general usevery comprehensiveprocess can generate huge dataset, possibly leading to difficulty withprioritisation. Excel templates are visually "crowded" with very small textand not particularly user-friendly.

Associated resources Other Climate East Midlands resources available on website

Weblink/contact details http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/ni188-adaptation-risk-

assessment-methodology/



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Adapting to Climate Change: Workbook for Public Sector Organisations


Originating Organisation Adaptation Scotland

Target users Local Authorities and other public sector organisations

Technical knowledge

required

None

Description A step-by-step approach to developing a planned response to the

threats and opportunities presented by climate change, divided into

five phases of work each of which includes relevant worksheets and

practical exercises. The five phases represent an organisational

approach to developing an adaptation action plan from getting started

to monitoring and reviewing the plan.

Mode of delivery Six downloadable pdf chapters (one for each phase, and an

introduction); an excel spreadsheet containing blank template

worksheets; and a PowerPoint presentation providing an introductionto Adapting to Climate Change.

Access Free to all via Adaptation Scotland website

Useful features Encapsulates the entire process of developing and implementing an

adaptation action plan from getting started to monitoring and review.

Provides a framework for public sector organisations (in Scotland) to

make a public commitment to addressing adaptation.

The workbook includes the following phases: getting started;

investigating impacts, vulnerability and risk; developing a planned

approach; implementing adaptation actions; monitoring and reviewing

adaptation work. Each phase includes a range of discreteactivities/tasks. For many activities the workbook includes proposed

approaches and case studies where the proposed approaches have

been implemented. Other sources of support and information are

referenced throughout.

Limitations Understandably Scotland-centric in terms of background information

and climate projections, although this doesn't limit the transferability

of the process. Targeted at public sector organisations therefore

limited transferability to businesses, particularly SMEs. An "end to

end" overview of the process rather than providing detailed guidance

or tool(s) to complete individual activitiesintended to be used in

tandem with other tools more focused on specific activities/stages.


resources

Other resources (Adaptation Scotland, UKCIP and others) referenced

throughout.

Related tools Adapting to Climate Change: a Guide for Business in Scotland

(Adaptation Scotland)

Weblink/contact details http://www.adaptationscotland.org.uk/3/107/0/Adapting-to-Climate-

Change--An-introduction-for-the-public-sector.aspx



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STAR Tools


Originating Organisation GRaBS Partnership (TCPA, University of Manchester, Climate Change

North West, Southampton and Sutton)

Target users Local authority planners, developers, NGOs and professionals with aninterest in the effect of urban greening on climate change impacts

Technical knowledge

required

None, although outside the North West (where the tool is pre-populated

with neighbourhood-level data), access to detailed information about

actual or proposed ground cover is required to run the tools

Description Online tools to estimate a) maximum surface temperature and b) levels of

surface run-off under different climate/temperature/precipitation scenarios,

based on actual or proposed ground cover of different types/materials.

Mode of delivery Dedicated interactive website.

Access Free to all via dedicated website.Useful features Allows users to define a study area either on a map (where users have an

area available as a shapefile, or within the North West where the tool is pre-

populated with neighbourhood-level data) or by listing an area or areas.

For surface temperature, data is input for the distribution of land cover

(between buildings, major roads, other impervious surfaces, green and blue

surfaces, and gravel or bare soil); baseline temperature (1961-1990); high

temperature for 2050s at the 10%, 50% and 90% probability levels (from

UKCP90); and for other temperature parameters. The tool generates

estimated maximum surface temperatures under the 3 scenarios.

For surface run-off, data is required for distribution of land cover

(between buildings, other impervious surfaces, trees, shrubs, mown

grass, rough grass, cultivated surfaces, water, bare soil or gravel);

baseline precipitation (1961-1990); high precipitation levels for 2050s at

the 10%, 50% and 90% probability levels (from UKCP09); hydrological

soil types; and study area. The tool estimates the percentage of

moisture that will run off at different levels of precipitation.

In the North West, the tools are pre-populated with data at neighbourhood

level. In other areas, this data has to be inputted by the user.

Limitations Likely to be of greater use in North West where data is already provided -

although the data is very detailed and it is not clear whether resources are

devoted to keeping it up to date. Outside the North West users need tohave access to detailed information about ground cover and soil type..

Related tools Other GRaBs partnership tools

Weblink/contact details http://82.69.33.138/grabs/

NAP themes addressed Natural environment; built environment and infrastructure

Reference The Mersey Forest & The University of Manchester (2011). STAR

tools: surface temperature and runoff tools for assessing the potential

of green infrastructure in adapting urban areas to climate change. Part

of the EU Interreg IVC GRaBS project. www.ginw.co.uk/climatechange


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2.3 Tools for businesses

Business Areas Climate Assessment Tool (BACLIAT)

Tool/ResourcePack/Process Workshop Resource Pack


Target users Business or those working with businesses; can be suited to other

organisations with minor modifications

Technical knowledge

required

Basic understanding of climate adaptation principles (for deliverers);

none for participants.

Description Set of workshops for businesses that can each be used as a

standalone activity to raise awareness/explore the implications of

climate change impacts, or as part of a wider process of producing

an adaptation action plan/strategy

Mode of delivery Workshop outlines set out on individual pages in dedicated section

of UKCIP website. Downloadable resources including

presentations, workshop templates and guidance for each

workshop available in appropriate formats (i.e. pdf for guidance, ppt

for presentations) from downloads page.


Useful features Includes guidance and materials for 5 workshops for business

participants covering: assessing past weather impacts (based on

LCLIP approach); potential future climate impacts; identifying

adaptation options; potential responses; and identifyingopportunities. Several combinations of workshops are suggested

as potential routes through the adaptation planning process.

Workshops are tailored to different levels of participant

understanding of climate impacts and implications for their

business.

Workshops are co-ordinated with stages of UKCIP Adaptation

Wizard to facilitate process of producing an adaptation strategy.

Includes worked sector examples of BACLIAT workshop applied to

different types of business.

Provides extensive guidance for workshop facilitators onpreparation, the process of each workshop itself, and follow-up

activity.

Can be tweaked to be applicable to different sectors/public sector

organisations.

Developed around business decision-making criteria and well-

accepted by businesses.

Name BACLIAT (continued)


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Limitations Useful starting point for identifying impacts but doesn't take

businesses on to the next stage of working out appropriate

responses. It is a process through which businesses are likely to

require some support and guidance rather than something they are

likely to pick up and do alone.

Additional associatedresources

Downloadable resources including presentations, workshoptemplates and guidance for each workshop available in appropriate

formats (i.e. pdf for guidance, ppt for presentations) from downloads

page.

Related tools Other UKCIP tools esp. Adaptation Wizard and Speed-BACLIAT

Weblink/contact details http://www.ukcip.org.uk/bacliat/

NAP themes addressed Businesses and services

Further notes/


Interviews suggest that practical application of BACLIAT tends to

focus on the suggested content for Workshop B, where participants

are encouraged to consider potential climate impacts on their

business under 6 headings: Markets; Process; Logistics; People;

Premises; and Finance.

BACLIAT can be adapted to use within existing events working with

business-facing organisations such as Chambers of Commerce.


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Speed-BACLIAT

Tool/Resource

Pack/Process

Tool


Target users Business or those working with businesses

Technical knowledge

required None

Description A downloadable spreadsheet version of BACLIAT designed to be

completed as a first iteration desk-based exercise - could be all that

is required for low-risk businesses

Mode of delivery Downloadable excel spreadsheet


Useful features Consists of four worksheets in a single spreadsheet document, a

brief introduction and a notes page.

The first worksheet explores past weather impacts; the second

presents potential impacts based on user-selected Standard

Industrial Classification of the business and allows user to choose

whether or not relevant; the third allows user to prioritise these to

take forward for consideration of responses; and the fourth provides

space for the user to consider technical, operational and strategic

responses to each of their key threats and opportunities.

The tool also provides a template scoping report for adaptation

responses.

Limitations Excel-based and not particularly professional in appearance. Usersreport some functionality issues around downloads being corrupted.

It is meant to be quicker than BACLIAT, but it does more, and done

properly can be quite time consuming.

Related tools Other UKCIP tools esp. BACLIAT

Weblink/contact details http://www.ukcip.org.uk/bacliat/speed-bacliat/

NAP themes addressed Businesses and services

Further notes/


Intended as an initial, relatively quick step to provide an initial view

on whether businesses need to do a deeper and more time-

consuming analysis. Important that users realise that Speed-

BACLIAT is an initial task and not the complete job.


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Business Resilience Healthcheck

Tool/Resource

Pack/Process

Tool

Originating Organisation Business In the Community (BITC) (NE)

Target users Business

Technical knowledge

required

None, although thorough knowledge of the business's current

processes/procedures/policies etc. is required

Description Online questionnaire-based tool to help businesses identify

resilience risks around weather and climate, structured around 7

headings (Premises, Operations, Financial, Insurance, Markets,

Staff, Logistics)

Mode of delivery Interactive online tool; produces downloadable pdf report structured

around headings above.

Access Free to all via dedicated websiteUseful features Simple, accessible, professional looking online format.

Questionnaire consists of questions in multiple choice format, so

requires minimal input on part of user. Generates a concise,

tailored pdf report based on the organisation's responses, which

includes colour-coded prioritisation of actions to one of four levels:

Maintain Status; Check; Take Action; Priority Action. The report is

a potentially useful dissemination tool.

Limitations Some glitches in tool functionality: some questions require a "Not

applicable" response that is not currently available and this can

slightly (but not fundamentally) skew the prioritisation of the related

action in the report as a result. It is not possible to stop the surveypart-way through and go back to the same point. Quite long.

Weblink/contact details http://www.businessresiliencehealthcheck.co.uk/

NAP themes addressed Businesses and Services

Further notes/


The tool was designed to be used with a business advisor present

rather than by businesses alone - however it is accessible enough

to be used without the assistance of an advisor. Climate SE and

Climate SW have collaborated on a pilot study using the tool with

accountants, with a view that they should use it with their clients. It

has been well-received and there is potential for this tool to be

rolled out subject to the few small glitches being ironed out. Thereis some lack of clarity re: ownership of the tool/associated IPR.


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Business Link Adaptation toolkit

Tool/Resource

Pack/Process

Tool

Originating Organisation Business Link with Defra and Chartered Institute of Management

Accountants (CIMA)Target users Business

Technical knowledge

required

None

Description Short questionnaire to assess r isks/opportunities of climate change,

accompanied by guidance on adapting to climate change and

protecting your business from flooding.

Mode of delivery Dedicated section of Business Link website.

Access Free to all via Business Link website.

Useful features A short questionnaire covers water and energy use, flood risk,importing, access for staff and customers, reliance on IT, and

potential market opportunities from changing climate. Once the

questions have been completed, the website provides some

information on each of these, highlighting areas of high priority.

Guidance is also provided on adapting to climate change and on

dealing with flood risk, with links to other resources including UKCIP

and the Environment Agency.

Limitations Very simplistic questionnaire, particularly on opportunities.

Probably most useful for initial awareness-raising but does not

provide much tailored information.


resources

Multiple links to other organisations' resources provided.

Weblink/contact details http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?r.l1=1079068363

&r.s=tl&topicId=1087319510



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Adapting to Climate Change: a Guide for Businesses in Scotland

Tool/Resource

Pack/Process

Process

Originating Organisation Adaptation Scotland

Target users Business: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and largebusinesses as an introduction to climate change adaptation. It is

also suitable for business-facing organisations that wish to raise the

topic of climate change adaptation with the businesses with which

they engage

Technical knowledge

required

None

Description Guidance document for businesses in Scotland. Provides

information about climate change and its likely implications for

weather in Scotland, and sets out a 5 step process for businesses

to consider their climate risks and potential adaptive responses,based on the UKCIP Adaptation Wizard.

Mode of delivery Pdf document downloadable from Adaptation Scotland website

Access Free to all via Adaptation Scotland website

Useful features Provides "headline messages" about climate change and how

businesses might be affected, followed by a pared down version of

the Adaptation Wizard process set out in 5 steps:

Getting started

Am I vulnerable to current climate?

How will I be affected?

What should I do?

Keeping it relevant

Also provides information about adaptation in Scotland and a

section on useful links and resources.

Limitations More of an awareness-raising tool than a thorough step-by-step

process.

Weblink/contact details http://www.adaptationscotland.org.uk/3/82/0/Adapting-to-Climate-

Change--A-Guide-for-Businesses-in-Scotland.aspx



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Business Continuity Management Toolkit

Tool/Resource

Pack/Process

Process

Originating Organisation Cabinet Office

Target users Business - primarily small and medium organisations in thecommercial and voluntary sector that are new to business continuity

management

Technical knowledge

required

None

Description Pdf document setting out process for developing and implementing

an approach to business continuity management

Mode of delivery Downloadable pdf that can be viewed as an "e-tool" (i.e. in full-

screen mode with fully-linked contents page and some cross-

referencing).

Access Free to all via Cabinet Office website

Useful features Covers step by step process including assigning responsibilities;

business impact analysis; risk assessment; determining strategy;

developing and implementing response; exercising, maintaining and

reviewing business continuity arrangements; and embedding

business continuity management in the organisation.

Limitations Somewhat generic as not intended to be specific to climate

adaptation/extreme weather impacts. Lots of acronyms. Covers all

of the issues but doesn't provide templates, examples etc. Section

on determining the strategy is scant. Created by previous

administration and as a result some links are no longer active. Notwell-publicised or well-known.

Weblink/contact details http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/content/business-continuity



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Climate Prepared

Tool/Resource

Pack/Process

Tool

Originating Organisation Climate South East, Climate South West, Tourism South East,

South West Tourism AllianceTarget users Business (tourism businesses in South East and South West)

Technical knowledge

required

None

Description Dedicated website for tourism businesses to promote the impacts

and opportunities associated with climate change and signpost to

appropriate guidance and resources.

Mode of delivery Dedicated website

Access Free to all. Requires registration.

Useful features User-friendly web pages aimed specifically at tourism businesses inthe South East and South West. Provides clearly structured

information about the implications of f lood; heatwaves; drought; and

coastal change in a dedicated section for each issue, linked from

the homepage. In each section, impacts are set out with a link

allowing users to "proceed to next step" - these links take users to

an issue-specific page providing options for action on that particular

issue. Each potential action is then further linked to sources of

further guidance and information. The homepage also includes a

link to a short (14 question) checklist for businesses to assess their

preparedness for climate impacts. The website generates a simple

customised action plan based on responses to these questions,

with useful links to further suggestions or more information against

each action. "Further information" section sets out the case for

adaptation with additional links to information and resources.

"Going Green" section provides information on reducing

environmental impact and carbon emissions.

Limitations Sector and geography specific, although much of the information

provided would be useful to other types of businesses.


resources

Multiple links to other organisations' resources provided.

Weblink/contact details www.climateprepared.com



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3 Research findings and recommendations

This section summarises our general conclusions and recommendations about the tools and their

use gathered through our research and the interviews that we conducted to support the review.

There is little evaluation on the demand and use of climate adaptation tools

The Environment Agency is currently considering whether and how to take forward the UKCIP suite

of tools, and is in discussion with Defra and Climate UK partners on this subject. The Agency is

particularly interested in the extent to which there actually is a demand for tools; that is, there is a

perception that tools are required, but it is not clear how rooted in reality this perception is.

The findings from this review indicated that there is little demand from local customers for new tools,

but more demand on awareness raising and use of existing tools. The drive to create new tools

often appears to be top down and driven by national or EU research projects with very little buy in

from local users.

This review has also revealed that most of th e existing tools dont have an established feedback

mechanism in place to monitor how extensively and successfully they are being picked up and used.This is partly due to practical difficulties in monitoring the uptake of tools that are made freely

available online. However this could be addressed in the future by following the business model of

mobile phone applications. For example these often requiring some form of on -line registration for a

basic version and then a small cost for the full version wh ich includes any updates, and then a

further small cost for any significant future changes. This revenue stream and customer relationship

can then be used to monitor the use and development of tools and support further development.

There is also a roll for an independent national organisation, such as Climate UK, to help provide

advice on the need and development of any new adaptation tools being commissioned, especially

by national agencies using public funds.

RecommendationClimate UK should produce a good practice guidance note on identifying the need and process in

developing new climate adaptation tools. Climate UK should then agree with Defra and the EA on

how this guidance can be promoted to either prevent the unnecessary use of public funds on new

tools or the improvement of proposals to address genuine gaps and build in ongoing monitoring and

evaluation of use.


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More guidance is needed on how to use the existing tools rather than newtools

There are a great many tools available, some providing a more general overview of the adaptation

process as a whole, some designed specifically to cover individual steps in greater detail.

Some interviewees expressed reservations about the continuing development of additional tools andwhether new tools add sufficient value to the existing portfolio to be a justifiable use of funding.

Several of the tools included in the review were developed using funding that is no longer available.

Some were developed under the auspices of organisations that have subsequently been wound up.

Often when funding disappears, support for developing and improving tools is gone. Furthermore,

there may be some lack of clarity around the Intellectual Property Rights associated with tools

developed by organisations that are no longer in operation. This appears to have led to some lack

of confidence about recommending the use of tools that may have become out of date.

It was also notable that even amongst climate adaptation professionals, very few of the people we

interviewed had a particularly comprehensive awareness of the full range of tools that are available,

particularly regarding tools that have been developed at a sub-national level and those that are

intended to address a specific part of the adaptation process, or a specific activity or sector.

There was a view that what is now required is not additional tools, but guidance as to which tools

are most appropriate for which purpose, and how they should be applied. We hope that this review

represents a first step in providing this.

Recommendation

Climate UK through the publication of this review and subsequent dissemination materials and

events should help to raise awareness of existing tools to national and local stakeholders.

Independent signposting is required to existing tools for different users andorganisations.

Different types of users and organisations will have different needs for tools. Interviewees felt that it

would be useful to have a single site where existing tools for different audiences and purposes were

bundled up providing a single destination for adaptation tools from where tools meeting a range

of different needs could be accessed.

To some extent this is provided by the UKCIP website which presents the UKCIP tools for specific

elements of the adaptation process within the overarching Risk Framework but this doesnt

incorporate non-UKCIP tools.

However, it was also felt that it is particularly useful for tools aimed at businesses to be easilyaccessible and clearly signposted from sources from which businesses already seek advice, support

and guidance.

Recommendation

Climate UK should put this review on its website to promote the different types of tools. In the future

Climate UK needs to work with the EA and Defra to develop this independent function through a

specific part of the Climate UK website to cover a range of different funded tools and their uses.


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The greatest use of existing tools is to help with awareness raising andpromoting the importance of risk management, especially to smallerbusinesses

There was a commonly-held view that there remains a huge job to be done in raising awareness of

climate impacts and promoting the need for adaptation to many organisations, particularly smaller to

medium size businesses.

Therefore it is important to recognise that the most common purpose for which existing tools have

been used by Climate UK partnerships staff is awareness raising in different contexts. For example

several partnerships talked about their primary focus being raising awareness of the risks

associated with climate impacts and encouraging organisations to incorporate climate and extreme

weather risks into their standard risk assessment activities.

However, as was pointed out by several interviewees, many smal l businesses dont have any

standard risk assessment activities in place, so there is still much work to do to raise awareness of

the importance of business resilience and risk assessment generally. This may mean using an

adaptation awareness raising event to encourage smaller businesses to concentrate on a basic r isk

register and business continuity plan, which as a secondary issue may include managing climateadaptation risks. For example a focus on business continuity planning by several of the partnership

was felt to be beneficial to how a number of small businesses were able to respond to subsequent

transport and premises disruptions either due to extreme weather or other disruptive events such as

civil disturbances.

Recommendation

Climate UK should continue to promote basic risk management and business continuity plans to

small to medium size business as the primary response to climate adaptation, and then climate

adaptation tools as a secondary response for those businesses and organisations wanting to use

and develop their existing risk tools and processes further.

The greatest demand from existing tools is to help with prioritising clear nextsteps and actions

Some feel that whilst many of the tools do a very good job in helping raise awareness about climate

impacts and the need for adaptation activity and responses that build resilience, few provide

answers to all of the questions they raise.

For example, several tools help organisations to identify and understand the climate impacts that

might affect them, and to identify the risks and opportunities that they face but dont necessarily

help with prioritising risks and opportunities in terms of which require the most urgent action, or

identifying what actions might be taken to respond to them.

Recommendation

Climate UK should ensure that an appropriate focus is put on the promotion and use of existing

tools that help with organisations prioritising clear next steps and actions. Also any new tools

developed to address genuine gaps should ensure they can deliver this output.


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There is a tension between the use of existing high level general tools anddetailed tools

Some interviewees highlighted a tension between tools that are generic and others that are more

specific. Tools need to be generic to some extent in order to be usable by a broad range of users

and organisations. However, lack of specificity to sectors or types of organisation is perceived by

some to limit the usefulness of very generic tools.

To counter this, tools have been specifically developed for local authorities or businesses. However

it was notable through the interviews that in practice tools seem often to be used with audiences

other than the original target. For example, BACLIAT has been used with local authorities as well

as with businesses, and LCLIPs have been performed with businesses and as collaborative

exercises involving groups of public sector organisations.

The other tension is the breadth of the adapation cycle the tools cover. For example whilst some

tools provide a beginning-to-end overview of an adaptive process, from identifying impacts, through

assessing risks, to identifying and implementing adaptive responses, others have been created to

cover specific parts of the process (for example risk assessment) in more depth and detail.

The interviews revealed a view that whilst it is undoubtedly useful to have specific tools, it isimportant that users are aware that each specific tool is part of a broader context and adaptation

cycle or process rather than being the whole solution.

Recommendation

Climate UK should focus on promoting more general high level tools to promote awareness and

help more organisations begin the adaptation process rather than use specific detailed tools. These

more advanced tools should be signposted to organisations who already have risk management

processes in place, have used high-level tools to scope their risks, and therefore understand what

specific or detailed issues they need further support or help with.

There was consensus on existing beginners tools but not the use of moreadvanced tools

One of the original objectives of this study was to identify a tool or small suite of tools that could be

recommended by Climate UKs constituent partnerships and for which capacity building act ivity

could be commissioned to enable Partnership staff to confidently use the selected tool(s) with

businesses, authorities and other organisations as required.

There was a strong consensus on recommending specific beginners tools for those starting the ir

adaptation journey who already have some form or risk management process in place. This

consensus was possible because the partnerships often have to do this regular signposting andawareness role, rather than advanced in-depth training and support.

Therefore it is clear that there are a few tools that have been very widely and successfully applied,

and which Climate UK and its member partnerships could recommend without reservation.

For businesses, these are BACLIAT and the BITC Business Resilience Healthcheck.

For local authorities, BACLIAT and LCLIP can be recommended (although LCLIP

comes with the proviso that the process is considerably more useful if done in-house

to build adaptive capacity, and it should be noted that most authorities where

adaptation is high on the agenda will already have completed an LCLIP).


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However, the review also revealed that once the need moved from signposting and awareness

raising for beginners tools onto more advanced tools and support there was less consensus. This

was because whilst some tools are more widely used than others, and some are particularly highly

regarded, there are a great many more that add value by addressing a particular part of the

adaptive process in more depth.

Furthermore, some partnerships expressed concerns during the review about whether an approachthat selected some tools to the exclusion of others would fit with the way that they work. For

example, many partnerships work to promote the inclusion of climate risk in organisations existing

risk management processes. Whilst some of the more advanced tools we reviewed would be

complementary to this, others, which incorporate a more prescriptive approach, would not.

Recommendation

Climate UK should promote the use of the recommended beginners tools to organisations that are

just starting the adaptation journey and already have a risk management process in place. There

should also be the recognition of a set of other more advanced tools that Climate UK can signpost

to and potentially use specialist associates to help tailor support organisations wanting to progress

further.

Existing tools require support to achieve potential impact

Interviewees stressed that it is important that tools are soundly based on both a strong theoretical

framework and on learning gathered through using the tools in a practical context.

Therefore tools are often dependent on the capacity of the person using them to understand what

they want to get out of the process and how the tools should be applied. Because of this, several

people that we interviewed felt that some tools work considerably better with some degree of hand -

holding i.e. relatively expert guidance and support which is often not available, particularly as

funding becomes more restricted. This level of additional support was also felt to be helpful and

apply to the beginners tools we have recommend in this report such as BACLIAT, the BITC

Business Resilience Healthcheck and LCLIP.

Recommendation

Climate UK through the dissemination materials and events to raise awareness of existing tools to

national and local stakeholders should also investigate building in training exercises in selected

beginners tools for local stakeholders. This will help build the capacity of others to support their

own and other organisations in the use of these tools.


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Appendix 1: Tools considered for review but not included

Name Originating

Organisation

Reason for exclusion

AdOpt UKCIP Guidance document, not tool

Adaptation ActionPlan template

Climate East Midlands Template document, not interactive tool

PACT Hampshire CountyCouncil / AlexanderBallard

Fee-paying service, cant review it withoutpurchase.

Other CREW tools CREW Prototypes not currently functional or with verylimited geographical information (part Londononly)

Climate InformationPortal

WeAdapt Uses SRES scenariosless geographicallydetailed for UK than UKCIP09.

Climate ChangeExplorer Tool

WeAdapt No longer available

CLARA UKCIP Guidance for business advisers, rather than atool

SHIFT Sustainable Homes Appears to be a membership set-up and is toosectorally-specific

Climate AdaptProgramme

European EnvironmentAgency

Appears to be signposting rather than a toolitselftoo broad

IntegratedAssessmentFramework

ClimWatAdapt (EU) Password protected for partners only

IntegratedAssessment Platform

CLIMSAVE Not active until 2013

Quantitative MicrobialRisk Assessment tool

ECDC Too sector specific

Climate change andcommunicablediseases in the EUMember Stateshandbook

ECDC Too sector specific

Adaptation Databasefor Planning Tool(ADAPT)

ICLEI For ICLEI USA member authorities only.

CRiSTAL(Community-based Risk ScreeningTool Adaptation andLivelihoods)

International Institute forSustainable Dev (IISD),International Union forthe Conservation ofNature (IUCN), SEI-US,Helvetas SwissIntercooperation

Appears not to be particularly applicable to UKcommunitiesmore aimed at developingcountries (assessment of impacts of projectson livelihood resources for poor communities).


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Appendix 2: Research Interviews

Approach

As part of the review process we conducted a series of interviews with representatives from the

climate partnerships that make up Climate UK, the Environment Agency and UKCIP.

All of the contacts provided were contacted by email in the first instance, with additional follow-up

attempting to secure an interview a minimum of 4 times by email or phone. Where the first point of

contact felt they were not the most appropriate person to participate, additional contacts were

sought and approached for interview in the same way, with the exception of the East of England,

where an initial telephone discussion was held with the partnership representative, after which an

email request for user perspectives on tools was circulated to the East of Englands network

members.

The table below provides details of the main interviews achieved.

Region/organisation Interview achieved?

East of England Yes (David Webb)also approached network members for more

detailed views from user perspective by email

East Midlands Yes (Alex Hopkinson)

London Yes (Juliet Daniels)

North East Yes (Adrian Hilton)

North West Yes (Ailsa Gibson)

Scotland Yes (Anna Beswick)

South East Yes (Kristen Guida)

South West Yes (Alex Webb)

Yorkshire and Humber Yes (Jon Follows, Kirklees Council)

Wales Yes (Lucy Corfield)

West Midlands Yes (John Barraclough)

Environment Agency Yes (Megan Gawith)

UKCIP Yes (Roger Street)


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Further interviews were conducted with officers from Environment Agency and Defra, and with

Acclimatise Climate Change Adaptat ion Consultants, to provide follow up information.

The agreed interview script is shown overleaf. Interviewees were briefed on the topic to be covered

and received the interview script by email in advance of the interviews. All of the interviews took

between 30 and 50 minutes to complete depending on the interviewees breadth and depth of

experience with the tools.

Interview Script

Intro: As I hope youre aware, SWM has been appointed by Climate UK to conduct a review

of adaptation tools. The purpose of the review is to evaluate how useful people find the

tools in practice, so that we can recommend a selection of tools for Climate UK to promote

in its work with local authorities and businesses.

Id like to ask you firstly, whether youre aware of each of the tools that were reviewing, and

whether youve used them, or worked with anyone who has. Then for those that you have

some experience of Id like to ask about what you feel are the useful features, and whether

you perceive there to be any particular drawbacks or areas where they might be improved.

It would also be helpful if you could be thinking about any other contacts you might have

with particular experience in using any of the tools were evaluating.

Q1. Could you tell me which of the following tools youre aware of, and of those, which

youve used, or have some experience of them in use.

Tool Aware Used/

experience

UKCIP Adaptation Wizard

Web-based 5-step process to help organisations assess

their vulnerability to current climate and future climate

change, identify options to address key climate risks, and

help develop and implement a climate change adaptation

strategy

UKCIP Risk Framework

Huge document setting out step-by-step decision-making

framework to help organisations/businesses identify and

manage climate risks, based on standard decision-making

and risk principles, to encourage users to consider climate

risks alongside non-climate risk.

UKCIP costings spreadsheet

Spreadsheet tool designed to help estimate the costs of

extreme weather events currently and in the future based

on socio-economic and climate change scenarios.


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Tool Aware Used/

experience

Cabinet Office business continuity management toolkit

Pdf document setting out process for developing and

implementing an approach to business continuity

managementvery emergency focused, slightly out of date

BITC business resilience healthcheck

Online questionnaire-based tool to help businesses identify

resilience risks around weather and climate, structured

around 7 headings (Premises, Operations, Financial,

Insurance, Markets, Staff, Logistics)

Business Link adaptation toolkit

Short questionnaire to assess risks/opportunities of climate

change, accompanied by guidance on adapting to climate

change and protecting your business from flooding.Climate Prepared (Climate SE and Climate SW tool for

tourism businesses)

Adapting to Climate Changea guide for businesses in

Scotland

Guidance document for businesses in Scotland. Provides

information about climate change and its likely implications

for weather in Scotland, and sets out a 5 step process for

businesses to consider their climate risks and potential

adaptive responses.

UKCIP Local Climate Impact Profiles (LCLIP)

Pack to guide organisations through a process designed to

help assess exposure to weather and climate. Highlights a

localitys vulnerability to severe weather events and how

these events affect local communities as well as local

authority assets, infrastructure and capacity to deliver

services.

Adapting to Climate Changeworkbook for public sector

organisations (Adaptation Scotland)

Step-by-step approach to developing response to climate

threats and opportunities, divided into 5 phases of work withworksheets and practical exercises for each. Covers the

whole process from getting started to monitoring and

reviewing the plan.

Climate NW Adaptation Risk Assessment Resource Pack

Pack to guide authorities through the process of getting

started with adaptation activity and embedding adaptation

into local authority processes. Includes case studies and

example risk assessments.


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Tool Aware Used/

experience

Climate EM Embedding Adaptation matrices

Set of 3 scoring matrices to help Local Authorities and

partners understand current progress on adaptation, and

set 5 year targets.

Climate EM Adaptation risk assessment methodology

Very detailed risk assessment approach designed to help

authorities comply with NI188

STAR tools (Surface Temperature and Runoff)

Interactive website that allows you to input neighbourhood-

level data about ground cover and generate estimates of

maximum surface temperature/runoff levels in different

climate/weather scenarios. Pre-populated with NW data.

Q2. For each used/some experience of:

a) Could you tell me what you feel are the useful features of [TOOL]

b) Does [TOOL] have any particular limitations in your opinion? Have you had any

problems in applying it?

c) Who do you see as [TOOLS] target users? Do you think it is reasonably well known,

understood and used by that target audience?

d) Are there any ways in which you think [TOOL] might be improved?

e) Do you have any recommendations for how [TOOL] is used in practice?

Q3. Before we finish, are there any other issues youd like to pick up?

Thank you. As I mentioned, it would be useful to know if you have any contacts who have

particular experience in some or all of the tools were reviewing. Is it OK if I send you an

email request for details?

Thanks again for helping out.

Summary of research interview findings

The summary finding

climateuk tools review

Documents