Adapting Malvern Hills and Wychavon to Climate Change

What did we do?

Malvern and Wychavon District Councils commissioned SWM to co-create a climate change risk assessment and adaptation plan for the area.

What were the outputs?

  • Climate hazard and impact maps for the districts.
  • A risk assessment for each of the districts, based on CCRA3.
  • A short-form climate change adaptation plan for each district.
  • An underpinning evidence report for both districts that provides the detail on method, evidence and engagement.

What was our approach to engagement?

SWM places reciprocal stakeholder engagement at the heart of such work. For this project, this included:

  • An introductory webinar on climate adaptation for anyone based in the area.
  • Two in-person workshops with local elected council members.
  • One-to-one interviews with key delivery partners and risk owners.
  • An online survey to allow us to gather an inclusive set of views from across the districts.
  • An online workshop for parish and town councils so gain community insight.
  • An extensive, inclusive consultation on a draft plan with all stakeholders.

What did the client say about our work?

“The council recognised the importance of climate adaptation and the vital role local authorities play in driving this agenda forward. However, we lacked the internal expertise and capacity to progress this work effectively. That’s where SWM made a real difference. Their knowledge and experience gave us a clear understanding of the climate risks facing our districts and resulted in a practical, well‑structured action plan to guide and prioritise our response. This was underpinned by a robust evidence base and extensive stakeholder engagement. SWM’s professionalism and strong project management ensured the work was delivered smoothly and on schedule. They were a pleasure to work with, and I would happily recommend them to any organisation seeking support on their adaptation journey.”

Matt Barker, Carbon Reduction Manager, Malvern Hills and Wychavon Councils

Would you like to find out more?

The published adaptation plans will be posted here in due course, following council cabinet sign off.

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