Climate action on your doorstep. Dr Jen Roberts, Prof Matt Hannon and Dr Fraser Stewart are your trusted guides to smart local energy and a zero carbon future. Find us at www.localzeropod.com
How is community-centred climate adaptation being nurtured and delivered?
Climate change adaptation is often discussed in terms of plans, policies and infrastructure, but what does it actually take to build climate-resilient communities?
In this episode, Jen Roberts and Matt Hannon explore how adaptation is being delivered in practice, the role communities play in inspiring, shaping and leading resilience, and what we've learned about what works – and what doesn’t. Joined by Jo Kerr, CEO of Verture, the climate resilience charity, they discuss the importance of locally led action, partnership working, and ensuring climate resilience goes hand in hand with social justice. Together, they unpack the key ingredients for nurturing and delivering community-centred climate adaptation.
Links:
Verture website: https://verture.org.uk/ (https://verture.org.uk/)
Adaptation Scotland: Home - Adaptation Scotland (https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadaptation.scot%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cjen.roberts%40strath.ac.uk%7C46fc7f34bd864fbc32b008def90480ab%7C631e0763153347eba5cd0457bee5944e%7C0%7C0%7C639221994979841249%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=48m3VfJF4CuP0dIL1R1lxeZVtkZFFg7X88nvsKyrO1I%3D&reserved=0)
Climate Change Committee report A Well Adapted UK: https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/a-well-adapted-uk/ (https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/a-well-adapted-uk/)
21 Jul 2026
What happens when multiple climate change hazards collide?
As our climate changes, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe. But what happens when multiple climate hazards occur at the same time—or in quick succession?
In this episode, Jen Roberts and Matt Hannon explore the concept of climate hazard stacking and what it means for climate resilience. How common are these overlapping risks already, and how might they change in a future shaped by more extreme weather? What challenges do they create for communities, infrastructure and decision-makers—and how should adaptation strategies respond?
To unpack these questions, they are joined by Professor Chris White (https://www.strath.ac.uk/staff/whitechristopherdr/ (https://www.strath.ac.uk/staff/whitechristopherdr/)), Professor in Climate Extremes and Resilience at the University of Strathclyde and an expert on multi-hazard risks across systems and society. Chris explains why understanding climate hazards in combination, rather than in isolation, is essential for building resilient communities and preparing for a changing climate.
Links:
- UNICEF’s Children's Climate Risk Report (2026): https://data.unicef.org/resources/childrens-climate-risk-report-2026/ (https://data.unicef.org/resources/childrens-climate-risk-report-2026/)
- Climate Change Committee (https://www.theccc.org.uk/ (https://www.theccc.org.uk/)) report (May 2026) A Well-Adapted UK - The Fourth Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk: https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/a-well-adapted-uk/ (https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/a-well-adapted-uk/)
- Book recommendation: The Response by David Shukman “A Story of Fire and Flood in Britain’s New World of Extremes” https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/469146/the-response-by-shukman-david/9781529144284 (https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/469146/the-response-by-shukman-david/9781529144284)
republished following a technical glitch!
23 Jun 2026
Dispatches from the grid frontline: How is the UK’s grid expansion impacting communities?
As renewable electricity generation grows and more sectors electrify, the UK needs a bigger and stronger electricity network to transport clean power where it is needed. But what does this unprecedented expansion mean for the communities hosting new grid infrastructure?
In this episode, Matt Hannon and Jen Roberts explore the experiences of people living on the frontline of the UK's electricity grid expansion. How are communities being affected by the construction and disruption associated with new transmission infrastructure? And what challenges and opportunities does this present for the electricity network companies responsible for delivering it?
To discuss these questions, they are joined by Clare Harris, Scotland Lead for the Local Storytelling Exchange, which shines a spotlight on local experiences of the green transition, and David Murray, former Executive Director of Sustainability First, an independent charity and think tank focused on improving environmental, social and economic wellbeing across UK utilities.
Together, they explore how the UK's grid expansion can support both the transition to net zero and positive outcomes for the communities at its heart.
Who has been a guest on Local Zero
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Louise Reid
Dr Vanicka Arora
Dr Arno Verhoeven
Chris Carus
Becky McLean
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
29 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 45 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
54
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
90
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