Adaptation

Climate adaptation involves making adjustments in our social, economic, and environmental practices to minimise the negative effects of climate change and take advantage of any potential opportunities. This process is essential for coping with the changes that are already happening and those expected in the future, such as more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and shifting ecosystems.

• Mitigating Risks – helps reduce the vulnerability of our communities to the adverse effects of climate change, such as flooding, heatwaves, and droughts.
• Enhancing Resilience – strengthening our ability to withstand and recover from climate-related shocks.
• Protecting Natural Resources – by promoting sustainable water management, protecting biodiversity, and restoring ecosystems.
• Supporting Economic Stability – ensure the continuity of services and supply chains, safeguarding jobs and livelihoods.
• Improving Public Health – reduces risks to public health, including heat-related illnesses, respiratory issues, and the spread of diseases.

Climate change adaptation refers to the process of adjusting to the impacts of climate change (these can be current or future impacts) to reduce our vulnerability as a society to these impacts. Sometimes the term resilience is used interchangeably with the term climate adaptation.

Climate change mitigation refers to action which reduces the impacts of climate change (or makes the impacts less severe) by preventing or reducing Greenhouse gases from being emitted into the atmosphere.

The impacts of climate change across the UK will vary by region. For Tunbridge Wells, an inland borough, flooding from extreme weather events is predicted to be one of the greatest risks. Additionally, other significant threats have been identified, including limited water resources, severe droughts, increased resource depletion, higher summer temperatures, and more frequent extreme weather events.