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The effects of climate change are no longer a distant threat – they are happening now. The need to adapt to them is paramount, as the risks of inaction range from acute health crises to food insecurity, forced migration and new diseases.

While it is essential to continue to push for mitigation measures, which are far behind where they need to be, we must build our global adaptive capacity – the ability of systems to cope with climate change on an organisational, regional and national scale.

This capacity is largely dependent on the skills of individuals within these systems. Developing Skills for Adaptation outlines a range of skills necessary for effective adaptation, from technical expertise in risk assessment to the softer skills of leadership, communication and change management.

The paper will be useful to a range of groups interested in green skills development, from education providers planning curricula for primary school children to employers looking to upskill their staff.

It breaks down the areas of action required to build adaptive capacity, the (often novel) challenges that will be faced and the skills that will be needed to overcome them. These include:

 

  1. Understanding risk and opportunity. Recognising the complex nature of climate-related risks, this section highlights the importance of critical thinking, scenario planning and risk assessment. The ability to navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions is crucial while overcoming challenges such as lack of input data.

 

  1. Solving problems. Adaptation requires innovative solutions to new challenges. This section emphasises the need for creativity in project planning and the ability to prioritise actions that balance short-term risks with long-term benefits. Skills in understanding system-wide approaches and impacts will be essential.

 

  1. Delivering adaptation plans. Here the paper delves into the different types of projects, from trials to well established processes, each requiring different approaches to project management.

 

  1. Project governance. Leadership and sponsorship are vital in driving adaptation efforts. A core challenge is the perception of risk, alongside the timescale problem where investment in adaptation has uncertain payback periods. Effectively positioning the issue of adaptation will require strong leadership and communication skills.

 

  1. Communication. This ties all adaptation efforts together. The text highlights the need for skilled communicators, who can translate complex information into actionable insights and foster a culture of collaboration.

 

  1. Upskilling for the future. While few jobs involving work on adaptation will require adaptation specialists, they will all need some understanding of what we mean by adaptation and why it is important. Many roles will include supporting an organisation to adapt. People with soft skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity and the ability to work collaboratively are as important as those with specialist data-science backgrounds. By equipping ourselves with these skills, we can better prepare for the challenges ahead.

 

Go to www.bit.ly/adaptation-skills to download the paper


Published by:
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Chloë Fiddy

Senior Policy and Engagement Lead

Chloë is the Senior Policy and Engagement Lead for Climate Change and Energy at IEMA. Within this remit she works on projects relating to greenhouse gas reporting and transition planning and reporting, as well as adaptation. She is particularly interested in finding practical solutions and approaches which lead to standardised, replicable and trustworthy reporting, so that decision-makers have better data to work with. Previously Chloë has worked at senior levels in the manufacturing and retail sectors, and in climate and sustainable development planning roles in the public sector. Her prior business experience and her understanding of the way that the public sector functions inform her approach to climate change and energy and social sustainability policy and engagement at IEMA. She is a Trustee on the board of Uttlesford Citizens Advice and a District Councillor and is active in her community. In her spare time she enjoys live music and cooking for family and friends.