Why Policy Must Champion Empathy, Innovation, and Systemic Change in Climate Adaptation

ACE Emerging Professionals event with Baroness Julia King, the former Deputy Chair of the Climate Change Committee, offered a timely reminder that climate adaptation is about more than engineering or infrastructure, it’s about people. 

At the heart of effective adaptation lies empathy: the ability to understand the magnitude of change required, address anxieties, and support those grappling with uncertainty. Empathy enables us, and those we serve, to navigate the complexities and unknowns that climate action brings.

Empowering Communities for Resilience

Communities are the backbone of resilience. When given ownership and control, they can drive transformative change—especially in areas facing decline or disconnection. Community-led initiatives breathe life into local adaptation, but only when local governments are empowered to act. 

Decentralised approaches, with continued devolution to combined authorities, have proven effective, provided that progress is shared and disparities are avoided.

Yet, there remains a persistent gap: psychological safety. Climate anxiety and uncertainty are real barriers to action. Should consultants, with their social value commitments and broad experience, take a more active stance in supporting communities through these challenges?

Innovating Finance for Sustainable Outcomes

Another important area is on the evolution of finance. Financial systems are evolving. Pension funds, with their long-term perspective, offer models for rethinking how we manage and invest in assets for resilience. This pairs well with the need for our asset owners and designers needing to think about the whole asset lifecycle in greater detail, truly designing it for adaptability and flexibility. Climate bonds are emerging as attractive options for investors, providing secure, long-term returns—sometimes with less risk than traditional markets.

However, we must be mindful of where and how we build. Insurance and legal frameworks need to keep pace with climate risks to homes and communities. Vulnerable groups are at greater risk, facing obstacles in securing insurance and capital, making adaptation efforts more challenging. Here, tools akin to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) but focused on climate resilience could provide much-needed support for insurers, lenders, and homeowners alike.

Rethinking Nature, Land, and Food

Nature is struggling under the pressures of climate change. As ecosystems shift, we must reconsider what crops we grow and what species we introduce—potentially planning for a world that is 4°C warmer. 

Climate change is already altering the landscape: disease-carrying mosquitoes are moving north, creating new health risks. Airports, the NHS, and policymakers will need to adapt swiftly to these emerging challenges. This is just one example of many.

Collaboration and Systems Change

Resilience is a systems problem—one that cannot be solved in isolation. Asset owners require a centralised, accessible way to understand the interconnections and impacts that may not be immediately apparent. Effective adaptation depends on collaboration across sectors. Is it time for a centralised data resource to help stakeholders see the bigger picture and prepare accordingly?

Leadership in Adaptation

We would be remiss not to acknowledge the role of leaders like Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge. Her ability to communicate complex challenges in a way that is both approachable and inspiring has been instrumental in shaping the UK’s response to climate adaptation. Voices like hers bridge the gap between policy, practice, and the lived experience of climate change.

As we look to the future, policy organisations have a unique responsibility to champion empathy, promote innovative finance, prioritise systemic collaboration, and amplify expert voices. Only by working together can we build a truly climate-resilient society.