New Climate Adaptation Framework: What It Means for the West Midlands and WM-Net Zero

The UK Government has launched the Climate Adaptation Research & Innovation Framework (CARIF) — a strategic plan to prepare society for the unavoidable impacts of climate change.

It’s a major shift in how we think about resilience: not as one-size-fits-all, but as something tailored to places, people, and systems.

This is big news for the West Midlands, where local projects like WM-Net Zero are already tackling climate risks in health, housing, and infrastructure — often with limited resources and data.

CARIF helps connect local action to national support, especially for communities most exposed to climate risks.


What Is CARIF?

CARIF is a roadmap to help the UK prepare for unavoidable climate impacts — such as:

  • Extreme heat and heatwaves
  • Flooding and storm damage
  • Risks to food, water, infrastructure, health and nature

It recognises that climate change is not just an environmental issue, but a system-wide challenge that affects health, housing, business, heritage, and governance.

The 11 Sectors Prioritised in the Framework

These are the 11 key sectors where climate change is already creating risks — and where innovation and policy must work together to adapt:

  1. Nature
  2. Working Land and Seas
  3. Food Security
  4. Water Supply
  5. Energy
  6. Telecommunications and ICT
  7. Transport
  8. Towns and Cities & Community Preparedness/Response
  9. Buildings
  10. Health
  11. Business and Finance

Each sector presents specific vulnerabilities to extreme weather, and each needs tailored, place-based interventions.


The Role of Data and Place-Based Adaptation

A central feature of the framework is the need for better local data and evidence to inform action. This includes:

“Improved spatial mapping of climate risk is important to understand how climate change might exacerbate existing economic, health and social inequalities, and a place-based approach can ensure actions are better tailored to the local context.”
CARIF, 2025.

In practice, this means:

  • Analysing local exposure to heat, flood and pollution
  • Identifying vulnerable groups and neighbourhoods
  • Understanding how communities interact with and value nature
  • Creating ‘living labs’ and testbeds to pilot local solutions

The framework also highlights the importance of co-creation and inclusive engagement, to ensure adaptation strategies reflect local knowledge, needs, and inequalities.


What WM-Net Zero Can Do

The work of WM-Net Zero — involving communities, researchers, practitioners and public sector partners — is exactly the kind of approach CARIF supports.

This includes:

  • Community-led mapping of environmental and health risks
  • Supporting equitable climate communications and public involvement
  • Advocating for adaptation funding that reflects local need

CARIF offers a strategic opportunity for West Midlands organisations to align their work with national goals, access new partnerships, and shape future innovation.


Final Thought: A Framework to Empower the Regions

CARIF gives the UK a national plan to target climate adaptation where it’s needed most — but its success depends on action in places like the West Midlands.

With the right support, local knowledge, and inclusive innovation, projects like WM-Net Zero can help ensure the region is not just net-zero, but climate resilient — for everyone.

Read the full framework:
UK Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework

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