The Local Climate Adaptation Tool (LCAT) has been co-developed by the University of Exeter and Cornwall Council. It launched in February 2024 and several updates are planned over the next year. The tool is designed to be easy to use and need minimal data from the user. The University of Exeter have also developed an LCAT user guide to support users.Try the LCAT for yourself
What is LCAT?
LCAT aims to help people understand the health implications of climate change in their local area. The tool brings together complex climate models, adaptation options and health impact evidence all in one place. Importantly, LCAT also generates recommendations for appropriate adaptation approaches, to support the health and wellbeing of local people. These recommendations are based on the best available peer-reviewed evidence.
How does the tool work?
Users can select a local area of interest and see the predicted climate over the coming decades. LCAT combines these predictions with evidence on the health impacts of climate change from the scientific literature, to support local organisations to plan their adaptation actions. You can use the tool to see what scientific research says about:
- how local climates will change
- what health and community impacts may occur as a result
- who will be must vulnerable and why
- which adaptations to consider
The aim is to enable the best possible health and well-being outcomes for local people. For example, planning cycle paths with shade for hotter summer months and protection from stronger cross winds in the winter, ensures people can continue to gain the health and wellbeing benefits of cycling in a changing climate.
The tool is free and open source. It aims to help:
- councils
- the NHS
- emergency services
- local service providers
to understand what is likely to happen and prioritise their climate adaptation approaches. For more guidance, you can read the LCAT user guide, developed by the University of Exeter.
Introduction to adaptation toolkit
The project has also published an introduction to adaptation toolkit. This guide explains why adaptation is necessary and provides practical insights on how to implement changes. From local authorities to NHS organisations, emergency services, charities, and businesses, the guide is tailored to meet the needs of diverse sectors and positions within local communities. It is intended to be used by teams to develop their understanding together.
Key features of the guide include:
- insights into why climate adaptation is crucial
- practical advice on effective adaptation strategies
- real-life case studies
- guidance on supporting those most vulnerable to the changing climate.
It aims to empower decision-makers with the confidence to take proactive steps towards climate resilience.
Why was LCAT developed?
Researchers at the University of Exeter spent a year exploring:
- how key stakeholders were adapting to climate change
- what the barriers to action were
- finding a common language that would allow decision making across traditional boundaries
The findings were clear, that stakeholders felt unequipped to take action. Stakeholders identified the need for:
- access to local future climate models
- clear guidance on appropriate adaptation, that was evidence based
- guided access to the evidence base
- support to work across traditional boundaries.
- the use of health outcomes to drive decision making provided a common currency.
These findings led to the creation of the Local Climate Adaptation Tool (LCAT) Project. During the first phase, the tool used Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as the pilot site and has since been developed to be used across local authority areas throughout the UK to support climate change adaptation action.
What next?
The tool is being developed in a staged approach. Over time, more data, content and evidence will be added as they are published. There is also a national stakeholder group for LCAT, who provide ideas for future development. This feedback is incorporated into further iterations.