Make climate resilience a strategic priority, green leaders tell business and government

Businesses of all sizes should make climate resilience a strategic priority, elevating climate change risk and adaptation to board level, considering different climate risk scenarios and embedding climate planning into short and long-term decision-making.

That was a high level recommendation from a new policy briefing published by the Corporate Leaders Group, convened by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.

Preparing for the storm: The role of UK business and government in improving UK resilience to climate change in the UK put forward the following specific measures businesses should be taking now:

• ensuring a holistic approach to climate change (mitigation and adaptation) and working with local and regional stakeholders to maximise opportunities to enhance climate resilience;

• stress testing preparedness for different climate scenarios (for example 2°C and 4°C average global temperature rise);

• prioritising customer/community engagement on climate adaptation;

• ensuring adaptation plans are costed and the benefits are articulated; and

• integrating nature-based solutions that deliver multiple benefits wherever possible.

The CLG also made recommendations for government, to support the agenda. These included:

• setting out a clear vision for a well-adapted UK and integrating adaptation across government policy;

• the Treasury should provide a regular assessment and statement of the financial and economic risks of climate change to the UK, and the opportunities and benefits that could be derived from taking early action to enhance resilience; and

• continuing to demonstrate international leadership on climate risk in its role within the G7 and G20, and through hosting the COP26 Presidency.