Defra funding for climate adaptation research

LSE’s Grantham Research Institute and partners will lead work through the ATTENUATE project.

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Defra funding for climate adaptation research

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The UK faces a critical challenge: the costs of adapting to climate change are escalating, while available funding lags behind. A groundbreaking new research project, ATTENUATE, aims to bridge this gap by developing a vital climate adaptation finance framework for the UK.

Led by the Grantham Research Institute at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), ATTENUATE brings together a powerful consortium of partners, including the Environment Agency, the Green Finance Institute, and the University of Bath. Funded by UKRI-Defra's "Maximising UK Adaptation to Climate Change" programme, this initiative will pioneer new approaches to financing adaptation.

ATTENUATE focuses on identifying and dismantling barriers to investment in climate adaptation. The project will:

  • Generate robust economic evidence: Quantify the costs and benefits of adaptation policies to provide a clear picture of the economic case for investment.
  • Assess the role of government: Analyse how government can create enabling environments that encourage public and private finance mobilization.
  • Tackle behavioural barriers: Identify and address the psychological and social factors that hinder investment in adaptation measures.

To ensure practical relevance, ATTENUATE will conduct three in-depth case studies with:

  • UK Government: Working with HM Treasury and Defra to inform national adaptation strategies.
  • West Midlands: Developing regional approaches to adaptation finance.
  • London Borough of Hackney: Exploring local-level solutions for urban climate resilience.

ATTENUATE emphasizes co-creation, fostering close collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders. This participatory approach will be crucial for identifying challenges, developing innovative solutions, and unlocking new opportunities for adaptation finance.

The project's findings will directly inform key national and local climate adaptation strategies, including:

  • UK Climate Change Risk Assessments
  • National Adaptation Programme (NAP)
  • Local Climate Strategies

By generating new transdisciplinary knowledge and enhancing stakeholder engagement, ATTENUATE will make a crucial contribution to building a climate-resilient UK.

For further information about the ATTENUATE project, please visit the project website here.


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