Westmorland and Furness Council unveils new climate adaptation plan

Westmorland and Furness Council has launched a new Climate Adaptation Plan to build resilience against climate change impacts in the region.

Approved unanimously at a council cabinet meeting on 21st April 2025, the plan is the council's third climate strategy, following its Climate Change Action Plan and Nature Strategy.

These strategies collectively address the climate and biodiversity crises declared by the Westmorland and Furness Shadow Authority in September 2022.

The adaptation plan details how communities, infrastructure, and natural environments can better prepare for the ongoing adversity caused by climate changes and biodiversity loss.

Councillor Giles Archibald emphasised the importance of proactive measures to ensure safety and resilience for the region's residents and landscapes.

"Climate change is already affecting our residents, our landscape and our infrastructure," he said.

The strategy aims to prepare residents for future climate disruption and offers evidence-based actions for enhancing resilience.

It was informed by Cumbria Climate Change Risk Analysis, predicting hotter summers and wetter winters in the coming decades.

The document lays a foundation for securing future investment through regional and national bodies, aligning local priorities with broader policies.

Community feedback on the strategy, gathered in December and January, showed support for the council's focus on strengthening resilience.

The adaptation plan will be integrated across all council departments to promote climate resilience in services, operations, and communities.

The council will collaborate with the Cumbria Combined Authority in developing a county-wide resilience strategy.

For further details, the Climate Adaptation Strategy can be accessed online in the Cabinet papers.