Organisational preparedness for the physical risks of climate change in the UK

This report presents the headline findings from a national survey of UK-based organisations’ perceptions about adapting to a changing climate. Called ‘PREPARE-3’, the survey was carried out in 2021, with 2,400 individuals. It covers awareness among organisations of climate change, its physical risks and how organisations are taking action to prepare for perceived risks. The survey follows earlier surveys in 2010 and 2013 (PREPARE-1 and PREPARE-2, respectively). PREPARE stands for Programme of Research on Preparedness, Adaptation and Risk.

The analysis is relevant for the private sector and related associations, and the public sector and policymakers focused on improving the role and inclusion of adaptation, preparedness and risk resilience initiatives within organisational planning. Key findings from the survey include:

• The vast majority of organisations in the UK are unprepared for the extreme weather disruption that climate change is bringing. Only one in eight (12%) has comprehensively assessed the risks of extreme weather disruption, and only one in six (16%) has a plan for adapting to future climate change. This is despite three in five (58%) survey respondents saying their organisation had been affected by the impact of extreme weather events in the last three years.
• Flooding topped respondents’ fears of disruption by weather and climate-related events.
• Almost nine in 10 (88%) respondents felt that the national government should have full or partial responsibility for managing the effects of climate change.