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Preparing for a changing climate

Developing climate resilient communities

Climate change, driven by rising greenhouse gas emissions, is affecting the weather we experience locally. While reducing emissions remains essential to limit future warming, we must also prepare for the changes that are happening now. In West Oxfordshire we are seeing hotter summers, heavier rainfall and longer dry periods. These changes can increase risks such as flooding, overheating in homes and pressure on water supplies.

Preparing for these changes is known as climate resilience. It means helping people, communities and local services prepare for extreme weather, reduce risks and recover more quickly when disruption occurs. To understand how these changes may affect the district, read the Met Office’s Climate Report for West Oxfordshire, which provides local projections for future temperatures, rainfall and climate-related risks.

Across Oxfordshire, local councils and partners are working together through the Climate Change Adaptation Route Map for Oxfordshire to strengthen resilience for residents, businesses and communities. In West Oxfordshire this includes:

  • Delivering actions from the Route Map.
  • Working with river catchment partnerships, landowners, and farmers to support natural flood management.
  • Helping communities prepare for extreme weather events.
  • Supporting vulnerable residents during periods of severe heat, flooding, or other disruptions in partnership with emergency services and local organisations.

Practical guidance for residents and communities

For more detailed advice on preparing homes, supporting nature, building community resilience, and adapting to changing weather conditions, download our guide:

PDF Icon Preparing For A Changing Climate - pdf - 1.20 Mb

The guide provides practical steps to help people protect their homes, support local wildlife, strengthen neighbourhood networks, and prepare for extreme weather.

Periods of very hot weather can affect everyone, but older people, young children, those with health conditions and people who work outdoors may be particularly vulnerable. Communities can help by checking on neighbours, sharing trusted public health advice and making suitable community buildings available as cool spaces.

The Energy Saving Trust provides great guidance on keeping buildings cool.

Sign up for Met Office weather warnings and visit the government’s Beat the Heat guidance for advice on preparing for and staying safe during hot weather.

Could your village hall or community building offer a free Cool Space during very hot weather? A Cool Space should be welcoming and accessible, providing: 

  • A cool or shaded area, ideally below 26°C 
  • Seating, drinking water and toilets 
  • Good ventilation or air conditioning 
  • Access during the hottest part of the day 

You can find out more about venues or register a venue on the national Warm Welcome map. You can also register as a free water refill point through the Refill website. 

For practical advice on keeping your home cool, staying safe and supporting others during hot weather, download our guide:

PDF Icon Preparing For A Changing Climate Keeping Cool During Hotter Weather - pdf - 611 Kb

Climate change is expected to bring heavier rainfall and wetter winters, increasing the risk of flooding in West Oxfordshire. There are practical steps households can take to help manage rainwater, reduce surface water runoff and make their homes more resilient to flooding.

You can help reduce flood risk at home by:

  • Keeping gutters and drains clear and reporting blocked drains or gullies that could contribute to surface water flooding.
  • Replacing hard surfaces such as paved driveways or patios with gravel, permeable paving, planted areas or rain gardens, allowing more water to soak into the ground.
  • Using a water butt to collect rainwater from your roof, helping to reduce runoff during periods of heavy rain.
  • Keeping or adding plants, trees and green spaces, which can absorb rainfall and slow surface water runoff.
  • Considering property-level flood protection if your home is at risk, such as flood doors or barriers, airbrick covers and one-way valves on drainage pipes.
  • Signing up for flood alerts so you have more time to prepare when flooding is expected.

For information about flooding in West Oxfordshire, including what to do before, during and after a flood, visit the West Oxfordshire District Council flooding pages.

Extreme weather, including heatwaves, flooding and storms, can disrupt premises, staff, supply chains and essential services. Businesses can improve their resilience by planning ahead, identifying key risks and putting appropriate business continuity arrangements in place.

For practical guidance, visit Enterprise Oxfordshire Business – Business Resilience and Continuity or use the Government’s Business Continuity Management Toolkit.

Businesses can also find wider advice, funding information and local support through the West Oxfordshire District Council Business Support and Advice pages.

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