A new Climate Adaptation Toolkit has been launched to help Pembrokeshire communities prepare for the impacts of climate change, with the seaside village of Saundersfoot leading the way as the first to pilot the locally-led approach.
The Toolkit, developed by the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, brings together practical resources to help communities understand the risks they face – from coastal flooding to increased risk of wildfire – and to help communities work with key stakeholders to co-create their own local adaptation plans. It includes free-to-access guides, templates, a network for action, and mapping tools designed to support place-based, community-led climate action.
“This is about turning concern into action,” said Tom Luddington, Coastal Stakeholder Manager at Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum.
“Coastal communities are on the frontline of climate change as sea levels rise, and we are seeing more intense storms, increased risk of wildfire, and heavier rain fall. The toolkit helps communities take the lead – because local knowledge, local leadership, and local collaboration are essential to building long-term resilience.”
In a pilot project starting earlier this year, Saundersfoot became the first community to trial the toolkit. Stakeholders including residents, local businesses, landowners, Natural Resources Wales, The Crown Estate, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Pembrokeshire National Park Authority, Saundersfoot Harbour Authority and Pembrokeshire County Council came together to assess flood risks, share knowledge, and begin co-creating a local climate adaptation strategy.
This collaborative process has already begun to influence how local partners work together. Councillor Alec Cormack described the pilot as “a good first step for how the Saundersfoot community can be more involved in co-creating climate adaptation plans – practical, inclusive, and with all the key stakeholders round the table.”
Although Pembrokeshire-focused, the toolkit has clear relevance across Wales and beyond, says the Coastal Forum. With more than 60% of the Welsh population living near the coast, and extreme weather events on the rise, the need for place-based planning has never been more urgent, it added.
The Welsh Government’s own risk assessments highlight flooding, coastal erosion, and loss of infrastructure as growing threats. In response, the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum’s toolkit provides a scalable model that empowers communities to shape their own responses – while aligning with national policies like the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the Climate Adaptation Strategy for Wales launched in 2024, it said.
WWF Cymru is funding the next stage of the project as part of its Wholescape Programme in Pembrokeshire.
Jessica McQuade, Programme Manager said:
“This climate adaptation work in Saundersfoot offers a demonstration project of how we can tackle the triple challenge of climate change, nature loss and community wellbeing. The toolkit, and the wider Pembrokeshire Climate Adaptation Plan has the potential to show best practice to the rest of Wales but we need to fund and test its implementation. It is very important to be activity supporting communities to be resilient to climate change, taking a nature based approach where possible. We are really excited to be part of this project.”
The full Climate Adaptation Toolkit, now available online, is organised into four sections:
- Learning Hub – Insight into local climate risks and how to talk about them
- Community Action – Step-by-step guides and tools to help communities plan adaptation measures
- Network for Action – Links to organisations, funding routes, and support networks
- Resources – Downloadable templates, maps, and facilitation materials
The aim is to make climate adaptation accessible for anyone who wants to help prepare their community for the future.
With positive feedback from the Saundersfoot pilot, PCF plans to expand the rollout to more areas. The team is also inviting partnerships with local authorities, town and community councils, and environmental organisations across Wales to adopt and adapt the model to their own local needs.
“This is about empowering people,” said Tom Luddington.
“If we want climate adaptation to be effective, it has to be something communities shape for themselves with support from Welsh Government and all key stakeholders.”
The Climate Adaptation Toolkit is free to access via: www.pembrokeshirecoastalforum.org.uk/climate-adaptation-toolkit
