Climate risk map
The Climate Risk map has been developed to better inform and direct the work of the Council’s climate action. In working to meet our borough-wide net zero target of 2043 and to implement our Adaptation and Resilience strategy, this map is a tool to help us tailor our advice and interventions within our Borough. It helps us support those at highest risk of the impacts of climate change, while providing a whole picture of the risk and vulnerabilities within our communities. This map considers individuals’ exposure to climate impacts as well as social factors that affect their ability to cope and respond to these impacts. This allows us to monitor and determine any correlation between climate risk and areas of social inequalities.
The tool will be used across the Council to provide data-led insights into our work. By making this tool public-facing, we hope residents and local organisations will feel better informed about their risk and vulnerabilities, and reassured we are addressing this risk within our work.
Click here to view in full screen.
We would love to hear your feedback on the Climate Risk Map, including if you found it useful, if it was user friendly, if there is more information you would like included etc. Please email ClimateChange@Richmond.gov.uk to let us know what you think of the Climate Risk Map.
FAQs
What is a climate risk map?
A climate risk map is a geographic tool which shows underlying climate hazard data and combines this with the exposure to climate risks and social and physical factors that affect the ability to respond to the impacts of climate change.
What do the different colours mean?
The different colours illustrate the levels of data layer being shown, as outlined in the key on the left-hand side.
What are the risk scores and how have they been developed?
The map layers have been combined to create experimental risk scores. Layers that represent the hazard itself (overheating, flooding, pollution), exposure to that hazard and vulnerability have been normalised (brought onto a common scale) and then combined with equal weighting to compute a risk score for each hazard separately (i.e. hazard x exposure x vulnerability = risk). The overall climate risk score combines the individual risk scores for overheating and flooding with an equal weighting. The air pollution layer is included as a useful reference to another type of environmental risk that can be viewed alongside climate risk.
It is important to note that these scores are experimental and represent the relative risk for each hazard within the borough of Richmond only – they do not represent absolute risk. The exact calculation varies slightly between hazards to reflect differences in the available data – the specific datasets and map layers used to derive the components for each hazard are shown within the map.
What is the purpose of the risk map?
The purpose of the risk map is to guide our climate action and target resources on areas most impacted by climate risk. This tool can be used by all teams within the Council to better inform our work, providing data-led insights to help us best support our communities.
How often is the map updated?
The climate risk map has been developed using the latest available data. The map will be reviewed annually to ensure the layers of data are current and any changes in infrastructure are reflected. During the initial years, it is anticipated the map will be reviewed and updated more frequently as we better identify the data needs and practical uses of the map within the Council.
Where was the data sourced for the map and is there more data available elsewhere?
All of the data is publicly available, and the sources of the data are shown within each layer on the map.
What are the areas shown on the map?
The areas on the map are Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs). LSOAs have been chosen as the baseline geography for layers on the map to simplify understanding of the exposure and vulnerability to climate hazards within consistent areas. Data sources may exist at a more granular scale – in these cases the average value for the layer has been taken across each LSOA. Data sources may also exist at a less granular scale – in these cases each LSOA has taken the value of the appropriate data point.
Will there be more categories added?
For this second version of our Climate Risk Map we have updated datasets and added new layers that are the most relevant and help improve our understanding of climate risk. We worked with colleagues in other Council teams to determine what additional information was useful to add and looked at other risk map examples. We will continually review the use of the map and how it could be improved in the future.
I live in a high-risk area, is there anyone that I can contact?
Many areas across our Borough, but also London and the UK, will experience risks and changes due to climate change. It is important to remember that the map shows relative risk for each hazard within the borough of Richmond only – they do not represent absolute risk. We have developed a Richmond Residents Action Pack alongside the Climate Risk Map as a means for residents to know how to take action and direct their efforts towards improving their resilience to climate impacts. For more information on flood risk in your area, please visit the UK government website and the Council’s pages on Severe weather . If you’re concerned or would like more information you can reach out to us at ClimateChange@Richmond.gov.uk.
How does my risk in Richmond compare to other regions?
You can compare risks in other regions via the London risk map and national risk map.