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Introduction
On February 12, 2025, experts and practitioners from various sectors convened for the "Extreme Weather Preparedness, Planning, and Resilience" online conference. The event underscored the urgent need for comprehensive and collaborative strategies to address the escalating risks posed by climate change-induced extreme weather events. With a diverse lineup of speakers from governmental agencies, emergency services, academia, and the private sector, the conference provided valuable insights into proactive resilience-building and effective emergency response mechanisms.
Key Themes & Takeaways
A recurring theme throughout the conference was the necessity of a whole-of-society approach to resilience. Several speakers emphasised the integration of governmental policies, private sector innovations, and community engagement to develop robust preparedness strategies. The discussions highlighted:
The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events due to climate change.
The significance of a multi-agency collaboration framework, such as the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP).
The role of data-driven modelling, nature-based solutions, and innovative infrastructure planning in mitigating climate risks.
The importance of prioritising vulnerable populations and ensuring equitable disaster preparedness measures.
Keynote Session: Strengthening National Resilience to Extreme Weather Events
Caroline Douglass (Executive Director for Flood and Coastal Risk Management, Environment Agency), highlighted the pressing need for improved flood resilience strategies. She underscored the role of enhanced data modelling, increased investment in flood defences, and community engagement to ensure more effective risk mitigation.
Panel Session One: Understanding and Responding to Escalating Climate Change Risks
Phil Emonson (Technical Director and climate Resilience Transformation Lead at JBA Consulting) discussed the evolution of resilience frameworks. He emphasised the necessity of integrating nature-based solutions and proactive planning to tackle escalating climate risks. He also stressed the importance of engaging communities in risk management.
Ed Beard Assistant Director for the Environment, National Infrastructure Commission, addressed the long-term planning needed for infrastructure resilience, emphasising investments in water supply security, surface water flood control, and interdependencies between infrastructure systems.
Carney Bonner (Security and Resilience Manager, Great Western Railway), shared insights into how railway networks are adapting to extreme weather events. He stressed the importance of proactive resilience planning, collaboration with safety boards, and investment in predictive technologies.
Daniel Bicknell (Climate Adaptation Manager, Greater London Authority) highlighted London’s proactive climate adaptation strategies, including sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) and retrofitting measures to mitigate urban flooding risks.
Panel Session Two: Delivering Effective Emergency Responses and Building Long-Term Resilience
Professor Duncan Shaw (Co-Chair, National Consortium for Societal Resilience) emphasised the critical role of community engagement in emergency preparedness, advocating for the establishment of community emergency hubs and coordinated volunteer responses.
Professor David Alexander (University College London) explored the evolving concept of resilience, highlighting the importance of foresight, scenario planning, and addressing vulnerabilities in disaster preparedness.
Nathan Hazlehurst (Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Manager, Worcestershire County Council) provided a local government perspective on managing concurrent extreme weather events, stressing the role of advisory services and voluntary organisations in supporting emergency planning.
Panel Session Three: Protecting People and Communities through a Whole-of-Society Approach
Agostinho Moreira de Sousa (Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection, UKHSA), introduced the Adverse Weather and Health Plan, emphasising its four key goals and the importance of evidence-based recommendations in public health protection.
Marcus Bowen (Capability Development Lead, VCS Emergencies Partnership) advocated for a rights-based approach to emergency response, highlighting the critical role of voluntary and community sector partnerships in disaster preparedness and recovery.
Christopher Scott (Assistant Manager, Resilience and Emergencies Team, West Sussex County Council) discussed the importance of community-led resilience programs, emphasising collaboration, education, and the establishment of community emergency hubs.
Reflections & Insights
The discussions reinforced the notion that resilience is not a static concept but an evolving process that requires continuous adaptation to emerging risks. The conference underscored the gaps in current preparedness measures, such as the uneven regional capacities to respond to extreme weather events. Additionally, it emphasised the growing interdependencies between infrastructure systems, requiring a more integrated approach to resilience planning.
A particularly impactful moment came during the discussion on the role of media and trusted community voices in shaping public perception and response to climate risks. The importance of clear, transparent, and science-backed communication was highlighted as a crucial component of effective disaster preparedness.
Actionable Steps
Enhance Multi-Sector Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships across government, private sector, and civil society to ensure coordinated disaster preparedness and response.
Leverage Technology and Data: Investing in improved predictive modelling, real-time monitoring, and early warning systems to enhance preparedness.
Prioritise Vulnerable Populations: Implementing inclusive resilience measures that address the specific needs of at-risk communities.
Promote Community Engagement: Encouraging grassroots-level involvement in resilience-building efforts to foster localised preparedness initiatives.
Advocate for Long-Term Investment: Ensuring sustainable funding mechanisms for infrastructure resilience, flood defences, and emergency response systems.
Conclusion
As climate change intensifies extreme weather patterns, the urgency to adopt a proactive and inclusive resilience approach has never been greater. This conference served as a vital platform for knowledge exchange and strategic discussions on strengthening national and local resilience frameworks. Moving forward, cross-sector collaboration and evidence-based policy implementation will be key to safeguarding communities and infrastructure against the growing threat of climate-induced disasters. The call to action is clear: resilience-building is a shared responsibility that requires commitment, innovation, and long-term vision.
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