Preparing for climate change

As global warming causes temperatures to increase, the weather and climate patterns in the UK are changing, leading to:

• warmer and wetter winters which:
  • disrupt seasonal cycles in nature
  • increase the spread of diseases
  • disturbs hibernation patterns
• hotter, drier summers which:
  • reduce crop yields
  • put pressure on water supplies
  • increase the risk of wildfires
• more extreme weather events, like flooding, heatwaves, and storms, which:
  • damage infrastructure, homes, and natural environments
  • cause deaths

Locally, we are starting to experience more frequent and damaging impacts from these changes. This is:

• putting people at risk
• causing costly damage
• harming Birmingham's wildlife

Recent examples include:

• wildfires destroying habitats and parkland in Lickey Hills and Sutton Park
• flooding across Birmingham causing widespread damage to properties
• droughts causing extremely low water levels in the city’s reservoirs
• storms damaging:
  • roads
  • paths
  • property
  • telecommunications infrastructure
• heatwaves causing:
  • heat-related deaths
  • warping train tracks
  • disrupting medical services

To better understand these and future impacts, we have worked with the University of Birmingham and the West Midlands Combined Authority to develop a Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment for the region.

Understanding these risks and vulnerabilities allows us to focus our efforts on the people and areas most in need of support, which increases the Birmingham's overall resilience to climate change.

This map shows where risks from flooding, heatwaves, and air pollution are highest, and highlights the most vulnerable communities.

Adaptation measures – main initiatives

We are working to protect people, infrastructure, and the natural environment from climate-related impacts.

Some of our main initiatives include:

Green infrastructure development

• Improving green spaces – expanding and improving green spaces and planting trees in areas with the lowest green infrastructure and greatest vulnerability to flooding and heatwaves. More trees and green spaces help:
  • reduce flood risk by absorbing water runoff
  • improve air quality
  • reduce temperatures during a heatwave by absorbing heat and providing shade
• Investing in green infrastructure – creating a green infrastructure masterplan for East Birmingham. Identifying priority locations and projects which have been included as part of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Local Investment in Natural Capital Programme

Extreme weather risk management

• Emergency planning – providing important emergency planning and guidance to ensure residents and businesses are prepared for:
  • heatwaves
  • gales and high winds
  • thunderstorms and lightning
  • severe winter weather
• River and waterway management – working with the Environment Agency to improve flood defences and enhance flood management systems, including flood barriers and wetland restoration, along waterways, like the River Rea.

Climate resilience in urban planning

• The Birmingham Development Plan – updating local planning policies:
  • promoting building energy-efficient homes
  • retrofitting older ones
  • ensuring infrastructure accounts for future climate scenarios, including flooding and hotter summers
• Resilient buildings – developing new buildings which are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. including:
  • energy-efficient construction
  • improved insulation
  • better water efficiency measures

By addressing the risks associated with flooding, heat waves, and air pollution, and focusing on energy efficiency and sustainable development, Birmingham is actively adapting to the challenges posed by climate change, while promoting a greener, more resilient urban environment.

Page last updated: 14 April 2026