A climate adaptation framework for NHS organisations

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Understanding the Challenge Adaptation is our adjustment to climate change. By understanding the challenge, we can make informed decisions based on actual or expected change. By developing this capability, you will gather evidence on your organisation’s climate risks and vulnerabilities, then integrate these into internal systems and procedures.

Maturity Stage: Starting

Maturity Stage: Intermediate

UC1A Learn about England’s changing climate

UC2A Develop understanding of climate risk and vulnerability

An understanding of past climate trends and future projections is a necessary foundation for adaptation. You can access localised climate information for a range of climate variables, including temperature and rainfall, and the UK Climate Projections provide key messages on the changes expected nationally.

Risk and vulnerability are key concepts for understanding the potential impacts of climate change on your organisation. To inform robust decision-making these need to be understood in your specific context, including the climate hazards most relevant to your location, and the specific vulnerabilities of communities you work with – including patients, staff and other service users.

UC1B Learn about climate impacts affecting health and healthcare

UC2B Record the impact of recent weather events on your organisation

The climate is already changing, and impacts are being felt on the delivery of health services, as well as new pressures on the health system affecting demand. Learning about the impacts on the sector will help you understand current and potential implications for your organisation.

Your organisation will have been affected by recent weather events. Recording the consequences of specific events with colleagues is a way to explore climate-related vulnerabilities in more depth. Even where specific data cannot be identified, interviewing or discussing with colleagues builds a picture of the sort of impacts we can expect and can be useful narratives for raising awareness, as well as some providing initial evidence of potential costs.

UC1C Key staff undergo basic training on climate change risk and adaptation.

In order to deliver “good adaptation”, key staff such as service leads need to have a common level of understanding of climate change impacts and the risks to the NHS. Relevant staff also need an understanding of adaptation and and resilience.

DRAFT (V1)

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