Our climate resilience and adaptation strategy
The climate emergency remains the challenge of our time, and time is running out. The best action we can take is to cut our emissions as quickly as possible. We already have a plan to do this, with an ambition to be a carbon neutral borough by 2030. However, we also know that our climate is changing now, and it is changing fast.
That is why we have made a draft strategy to prepare Southwark for the future. The draft strategy creates a framework to protect our communities, homes, infrastructure and environment. It is a strategy for the whole of the borough, and sets out how we will:
- future-proof the borough’s buildings, streets and critical infrastructure
- work with others to prepare, plan and respond to challenges and shocks
- improve the borough at the same time, such as by improving air quality and biodiversity and reducing inequalities
The council already does a lot of work in these areas, including:
- shaping new building design in planning policy to reduce overheating
- managing flood risk and delivering sustainable urban drainage schemes
- emergency planning that ensures we have a quick and effective response to support residents in times of need
- large programmes of urban greening and planting
Our draft strategy recognises this ongoing work while ensuring that we're prepared for the challenges that climate change will bring.
How you can help us
Every part of our borough needs to work together to make sure we are as prepared as possible for the changes in our climate.
We are running a consultation on our draft strategy between 29 August and 10 October 2023. We want to know what a resilient Southwark is from your perspective, so this plan works for the whole of the borough.
Please take the time to complete our short survey to help us understand how to make our resilience and adaptation strategy and action plan as helpful as possible for all of Southwark.
This survey forms part of the public consultation on our draft Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy.
We welcome all comments on the draft strategy and supporting documents by email to climateemergency@southwark.gov.uk.
The consultation closes on 9 October 2023.
Read more
What does the council plan to do?
Download and read our draft strategy, as well as other documents
Page last updated: 29 August 2023
