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, this tool enables us to tailor advice and interventions within our borough, supporting those at highest risk of the impacts of climate change, while providing a whole picture of the risk and vulnerabilities within our communities. This tool 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, meaning we can tailor action and interventions to the communities we serve. By making this tool public-facing, we hope residents will feel better informed about their risk and vulnerabilities, and reassured we are addressing this risk within our work.  

 

*Green Space Accessibility is measured as a Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) value – higher positive values indicate areas with denser vegetation.  

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 the exposure to climate impact risks alongside social factors affecting an individual or community’s ability to respond to the impacts of climate change.

What do the different colours mean?

The different colours illustrate the levels of data being shown, as outlined in the key on the right-hand side.

What are the risk scores and how have they been developed?

The map layers above have been combined to create experimental risk scores. Layers that represent exposure for each hazard (overheating, flooding, pollution) and those that represent 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. exposure + vulnerability = risk). The overall risk score combines each of the three individual risk scores with an equal weighting. 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.

In order to include exposure to flooding in the risk scoring, the number of properties within the flood exposure zones was computed for each LSOA.

The health condition layers (asthma, COPD) were included in the vulnerability score for overheating and pollution risk, but not the flood risk score.

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 nearest data point.

Will there be more categories added?

The work completed on the climate risk map is considered phase 1 of our map. For our primary purpose (to direct our climate work based on local data and context) we have added the most relevant data and layers to the map. We are already working with colleagues in other teams to determine what additional information could be usefully added to the map to support other teams in using this tool effectively.

I live in a high-risk area, is there anyone that I can contact?

We have developed a Richmond Residents Action Pack 2023 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 government’s website: https://check-long-term-flood-risk.service.gov.uk/postcode. 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.