Morning, Friday, 27th February 2026
Online
This conference will examine latest developments, priorities and next steps for implementing climate change adaptation and resilience in the UK.
It will be an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to discuss practicalities and implications for stakeholders as plans advance for strengthening climate preparedness for critical infrastructure, vulnerable communities, and more widely across built and natural environments.
Policy & key developments
In discussing the way forward, discussion will draw on the Climate Change Committee’s recommendations for climate adaptation strategies and the Government response to the CCC Adaptation Progress Report, alongside the UK Resilience Action Plan, the 10 year flood defence programme, and the continued implementation of the UK’s Third National Adaptation Programme and preparations for NAP4.
Practicalities & governance
Delegates will discuss options for setting clear, measurable and costed objectives and milestones in NAP3 and NAP4, integrating them into national, regional and local delivery plans, and developing governance and accountability arrangements that can support consistent implementation across sectors.
The planned agenda will assess how to embed a more holistic and interconnected approach to adaptation and resilience across government, following the UK Government Resilience Action Plan and 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy. Attendees will consider practical approaches to integrating strengthened adaptation objectives into policy and funding streams, and the appropriate scaling, targeting and timing of investment commitments in the Spending Review.
Regulation, planning & finance
Further discussion is expected on how regulatory frameworks, price controls and planning processes might be deployed to incentivise both public and private adaptation and resilience-focused investment, including local delivery capacity and finance mechanisms such as local climate bonds.
Innovation & integration
Emerging research and innovation priorities for adaptation and resilience, including the recent 2025 Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework and the launch of the MACC Hub. We expect further discussion on priorities for improving the UK’s assessment of climate risk to inform decision-making, advancing innovative adaptation initiatives across sectors and supply chains, supporting the development and transfer of best practice in communities, and embedding adaptation and resilience in workforce skills for organisations such as local authorities, infrastructure operators and financial institutions.
Overview of areas for discussion
- climate change impacts:
- preparation for increased adverse weather - addressing sector-specific impacts - implications for critical infrastructure and essential services - central and local coordination
- resilience and reporting:
- 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy implementation - developing cross-sector indicators - mandated reporting and oversight - embedding resilience standards in regulatory practice
- data, modelling and evidence:
- developing stress-testing requirements - improving data-sharing protocols - assessing local and regional risk - integrating climate risk assessments into planning processes
- flood and coastal risk:
- decision-making for the 10 year flood and coastal erosion programme - implications for insurance markets and affordability
- mapping exposure and vulnerability - support for at-risk communities - strengthening community-based responses
- local delivery capacity and finance:
- options for multi-year settlements and ring-fenced funding - approaches to blended public-private finance - strengthening procurement and programme management support
- standardisation of business-case treatment of adaptation benefits - aligning regulatory and market frameworks to promote investment
- research and innovation priorities:
- assessing the Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework - implications of insights from the Maximising UK Adaptation to Climate Change Hub
- opportunities to accelerate applied research and evidence transfer across sectors
