Even if the best-case Paris Agreement target of keeping average global temperature rises to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is met, significant climate-related impacts are to be expected. This includes rising sea levels, flooding and increased incidents of extreme temperature.

All public bodies are required to have an adaptation plan, but the benchmarking survey suggested that only a third of Trusts and no former Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) had a plan in place.

Adaptation to climate impacts also includes ensuring the medical services provided evolve to meet emerging needs, including the health impacts of extreme weather, eco-anxiety etc.

There are potential synergies between climate adaptation measures and providing therapeutical green space on NHS sites, for example planting trees to provide shade or gardens designed to absorb excess stormwater.