Sustainable development in cities: collaborating to improve urban climate resilience and develop the business case for adaptation

Abstract

Fragmented governance contexts make it difficult for public bodies to direct and control climate adaptation initiatives. This paper highlights how Newcastle City Council collaborated with local partners to create a shared understanding of how a major storm could affect public services across North East England. This helped the authority to develop a business case to invest in infrastructure that will help to protect future generations from severe weather events.

Keywords:

• Business case
• climate adaptation
• local government
• resilience
• wicked issues

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Peter Eckersley

Peter Eckersley is a Senior Research Fellow in Public Policy and Management at Nottingham Trent University, UK.

Kit England

Kit England is the manager of Climate Ready Clyde, at Sniffer, where he is leading development of Glasgow City Region’s climate change adaptation approach.

Laurence Ferry

Laurence Ferry is a Professor in Accounting at Durham University Business School, UK.