14 October 2022

London’s first: Hounslow joins global climate resilience network

Source(s): United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

On 13 October, Hounslow has announced it has joined Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030), a global network of cities and local authorities committed to climate resilience and sustainability.

The United Nations-led (UN) partnership falls under the department for Disaster Risk Reduction, and supports the delivery of UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Hounslow becomes the first London borough to commit itself to this important initiative, which focuses on improving the climate resilience and preparedness of the borough and its residents.

The Council already engages with other London boroughs and the wider London Resilience Partnership through the London City Resilience Strategy, and plans to use the new international partnership to improve expertise city-wide.

Following the Council’s declaration of a climate emergency in 2019, the local authority set out a commitment in its Climate Emergency Action Plan (2020) to produce a climate change resilience strategy.

Working alongside more than 1300 other authorities across the globe, Hounslow will utilise tools, services and partners provided by MCR2030 to support the development and delivery of local resilience targets.

The MCR2030 partnership will help Hounslow assess the risks that climatic events pose on its residents, partners, communities, and Council staff, and aids the creation of a Climate Change Resilience Strategy and Action Plan.

Brentford — Photo: London Borough of Hounslow

Hounslow Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport Strategy, Councillor Katherine Dunne, said: “Hounslow recognises that climate change poses a significant, and very real threat to our future, and we’ve pledged to do all we can to rise to the challenges it presents.

“The MCR2030 initiative enables a global network of local governments to work collectively, helping to facilitate improved disaster risk reduction and city resilience at a local level.

“We’re committed to creating a safer and more sustainable borough for our residents, and look forward to supporting partners worldwide to do the same.”

UNDRR’s Chief, Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, Octavian Bivol, said: “We can, and we must, stop hazards from becoming disasters, and put the world on a path to Zero Climate Disasters.

“Hounslow, the first borough to join MCR2030 in London, is setting the example on developing a comprehensive resilience strategy that integrates disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation & sustainability and engages all communities.”

Hounslow declared a Climate Emergency at a meeting of Borough Council on Tuesday, 18 June 2019, joining with over 100 UK local authorities, the Greater London Authority, and national government – find out more.

In 2020, Hounslow Council published its Climate Emergency Action Plan. You can find full details, as well as section 5.0’s information on resilience and adaptation, here.