Planning for Climate Change


This is where we're developing a range of support to help councils plan for climate change. 

A Guide for Local Authorities on The Climate Crisis and Planning for Climate Change

Written by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), and the Town and Country Planning Association,(TCPA), this guide provides an accessible introduction to the broad issues involved in planning for climate change. It is intended to help planners and politicians play their full part in tackling the climate crisis.


This Guide is intended to help planners and politicians play their full part in tackling the climate crisis, and is designed to inform the preparation of strategic and local development plans being peprard by local and combined authorities in the UK. It replaces the previous edition of this guidance published in 2021.

LGA councillor workbook - this is a learning aid for councillors on the roles, opportunities and drivers for council-led action on the changing climate, both to reduce local carbon emissions and to build resilience to extreme weather.

Leadership Essentials - Climate Emergency.  Many councils have formally declared a climate emergency and are looking at practical steps to turn ambitions on reducing carbon emissions into action.  This programme will help leaders and portfolio holders explore the crucial local leadership role in responding to the climate emergency. It will explore levers for councils to reduce carbon emissions and provide opportunities to learn from the experience of others.


LGA Guide for Leaders. The LGA has worked closely with the Centre for Public Scrutiny to publish a guide to help councils play a leading role in tackling the climate crisis at a local level. The resource, which sets out 10 scrutiny questions, will help all councils and policymakers to embed the necessary environmental, social and cultural changes that communities need to see to build resilience to respond to climate challenges.

RTPI launches guide to climate action tools

A guide for planners who want to understand how to reduce carbon emissions while also managing climate impacts such as flooding and overheating has been launched by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

The guide, produced by the RTPI alongside CAG Consultants, takes the form of an interactive, online directory showcasing 18 climate mitigation and adaptation tools which can be used in development management and plan-making.