CAG Consultants, in partnership with Sustainability West Midlands (SWM), supported Coventry City Council in conducting a climate vulnerability assessment and drafting a Climate Adaptation Strategy. This work forms a crucial part of Coventry’s Climate Change Strategy. It identifies and prioritises the city’s climate risks and opportunities. The findings from the vulnerability assessment were used as the basis for developing the adaptation strategy and informed the city’s first Adaptation Reporting Power (ARP) report. These reports will help integrate resilience into Coventry’s “One Coventry Plan,” enhancing economic stability and the well-being of residents, especially those most vulnerable to climate impacts

How We Delivered the Project

In assessing climate vulnerability, our team followed a structured approach based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines. We identified climate hazards specific to Coventry, including increased heat and changing rainfall patterns. We assessed exposure to these hazards using data mapping and spatial analysis, such as flood risks for businesses. We evaluated sensitivity by engaging stakeholders through workshops and interviews. Finally, we determined adaptive capacity by reviewing existing policies and gathering stakeholder feedback. Vulnerability scores combined these factors, helping prioritise key risks.

Once key climate risks were identified, a detailed strategy and implementation plan was developed to address them. Actions include supporting local food production through community food hubs, promoting water-saving campaigns, enhancing water quality monitoring, developing cooling centres, planting more trees, and upgrading infrastructure to make facilities climate-adaptive.

Fig 1: Vulnerability Assessment Results

Objectives Achieved

• Developed Understanding: Created a clear picture of climate risks and opportunities for Coventry.
• Prioritised Risks: Identified high-priority risks, such as food security, infrastructure resilience, and water supply.
• Informed Policy: Supported the integration of resilience into city planning and policy-making.
• Stakeholder Involvement: Enabled local stakeholders, businesses, policymakers, and residents to contribute to shaping a more climate-resilient future.
• Action Plan Development: Delivered a comprehensive action plan to guide Coventry’s response to climate change.

For further information, please contact Derek Morgan at dm@cagconsult.co.uk