National foreword

This Published Document is the UK implementation of ISO/TS 14092:2020.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee SES/1/7, Greenhouse gas management and related activities.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its secretary.

This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

This Published Document was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 May 2020.

Foreword

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The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an endorsement.

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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 207, Environmental management, Subcommittee SC 7, Greenhouse gas management and related activities.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

Introduction

Preparing for risks posed by climate change and planning for adaptation at local government and community levels is essential for the safety and security of society, as well as for its economic, environmental and social well-being. Changes in the climate are often reflected by floods, heatwaves, droughts, coastal erosion and other impacts that have been identified across the globe, which pose threats to life, property, economic well-being and to ecosystems. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has projected that global warming from past anthropogenic emissions will persist for centuries to millennia and will continue to cause further long-term changes in the climate system such as sea level rise, with associated impacts.

This document presents guidance for local governments and communities on how to prepare for such threats and the associated risks. The document recognizes that the impacts posed by climate change vary widely from region to region, and directly affect communities’ well-being and local governments including the public services they offer, as well as the safety and security of individuals within their jurisdiction. It is the responsibility of local governments and communities to provide leadership in planning and preparing to manage these risks.

This document also describes how to develop an adaptation plan at the local government and community levels. The planning process details why and how to establish an appropriate (well-structured and collaborative) governance structure and the elements of the adaptation planning and implementation processes. These details include establishing a facilitation team, assessing risks and developing an effective plan, monitoring the progress of adaptation implementation and evaluating its achievement with the aim of improving the plan. The step-by-step process presented enables tailoring of the local adaptation plan to suit the climate, environmental and societal conditions in each case. Following this document will lead to developing a robust, effective adaptation plan that can be implemented, promoting appropriate climate action today and in the future.

It is important to note that the climate is changing, and planning and implementing adaptation is a continual learning and improvement process that requires sustained attention and action. This document will help local governments and communities in taking initial action to create a safe, socially and economically secure and sustainable society that is resilient to current and future impacts of climate change.

1 Scope

This document specifies requirements and guidance on adaptation planning for local governments and communities.

This document supports local governments and communities in adapting to climate change based on vulnerability, impacts and risk assessments. In working with relevant interested parties, it also supports the setting of priorities, and the development and subsequent updating of an adaptation plan.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Principles

4.1 Accountability

4.2 Continual learning and improvement

4.3 Flexibility

4.4 Mainstreaming and embedding

4.5 Practicality

4.6 Prioritization

4.7 Proportionality

4.8 Relevance

4.9 Transparency

5 Pre-planning

5.1 General

5.2 Framing adaptation

5.3 Roles, responsibilities and duties of the teams

6 Assessing climate change impacts including opportunities

6.1 General

6.2 Identifying climate change

6.3 Assessing climate change impacts

6.4 Impact assessment methods

6.5 Assessing adaptive capacity

6.6 Identifying opportunities

6.7 Identifying uncertainties

7 Formulating the adaptation plan

7.1 General

7.2 Planning considering the policy context

7.3 Identification of potential adaptation measures

7.4 Assessment of adaptation measures

7.5 Decision-making

7.6 Local adaptation plan

8 Implementation

8.1 Leadership and commitment

8.2 Preparation for implementation

8.3 Implementation plan

9 Monitoring and evaluation

10 Reporting and communication

Bibliography

PD ISO/TS 14092:2020

Adaptation to climate change. Requirements and guidance on adaptation planning for local governments and communities

Published:

31 May 2020

Withdrawn:

16 Feb 2026