Toolkit to help Pembrokeshire communities prepare for climate change

A new Climate Adaptation Toolkit has been launched to help Pembrokeshire communities prepare for the impacts of climate change.

The seaside village of Saundersfoot is the first to trial this locally-led approach.

The toolkit, developed by the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, provides practical resources to help communities understand the risks they face, including coastal flooding and wildfire threats.

It also assists in the creation of local adaptation plans.

Tom Luddington, coastal stakeholder manager at Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, said: “This is about turning concern into action.

“The toolkit helps communities take the lead – because local knowledge, local leadership, and local collaboration are essential to building long-term resilience.”

The pilot project in Saundersfoot included stakeholders such as residents, local businesses, landowners, and various authorities.

They assessed flood risks, shared knowledge, and began co-creating a local climate adaptation strategy.

Councillor Alec Cormack described it as “a good first step for how the Saundersfoot community can be more involved in co-creating climate adaptation plans.”

The toolkit, while Pembrokeshire-focused, has relevance across Wales and beyond, given the increasing extreme weather events and the majority of the Welsh population living near the coast.

The Welsh Government’s risk assessments highlight the growing threats of flooding, coastal erosion, and infrastructure loss.

WWF Cymru is funding the next stage of the project as part of their Wholescape Programme in Pembrokeshire.

The full Climate Adaptation Toolkit is divided into four sections: Learning Hub, Community Action, Network for Action, and Resources.

Following positive feedback from the Saundersfoot pilot, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum plans to extend the toolkit’s rollout to more areas.

The team is inviting partnerships with local authorities, town and community councils, and environmental organisations across Wales to adopt and adapt the model to their own needs.

The Climate Adaptation Toolkit is free to access on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum’s website.