CETEx launches report on innovation in climate change adaptation technologies
On 14 May 2026, CETEx was delighted to co-host a report launch event and panel discussion on innovation in climate change adaptation technologies with the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London and the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at LSE.
As explained in the report, Catalysing climate resilience: an analysis of the UK’s strengths in the innovation of adaptation technologies and services, adapting to a changing climate must become a priority investment for governments in the coming decades. The benefits of avoided economic damages from these investments are well studied, but the strategic economic case for investing in the development of adaptation technologies is less well understood. This report from CETEx, the Centre for Economic Performance (CEP), Grantham Imperial and the Grantham Research Institute at LSE makes this strategic economic case for adaptation investment.
Hosted by Dr Caterina Brandmayr, Director of Policy and Translation at the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, the event brought together academics, policymakers and adaptation practitioners to launch this work and hold a productive panel discussion on the topic. The keynote speaker was Chi Onwurah, MP and Chair of Science, Innovation and Technology Committee. Lead author Daisy Jameson, Senior Policy Fellow at CETEx presented the findings, followed by a panel discussion with Raffaele Della Croce, Visiting Professor at the Engineering School in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, Beth Barker, Head of Policy at Aldersgate Group, Erika Lewis, CEO of Connected Places Catapult and Graham Brodgen MBE, chair of International Property Flood Resilience Association.
Session overview and key insights
Chi Onwurah (pictured below) reflected on her role as an MP and how investment in climate change adaptation is vital to protect her constituency [Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West] from the growing threats from climate change. She also reflected on the importance of harnessing innovation in new technologies to realise the economic benefits from these investments.
Daisy Jameson then presented the key findings of the report, which include:
- The UK ranks second in the world for specialisation in climate adaptation technologies.
- For specific sub-sectors of adaptation technologies, the UK ranks fifth globally in engineering technologies required for adaptation (including adaptation in coastal zones, water systems and infrastructure); second globally in life science technologies required for adaptation (including in agriculture and health, such as drought-resilient crops and vaccines against vector-borne diseases); and third globally in ‘indirect’ adaptation technologies (including weather forecasting, climate simulation, assessing water resources, and monitoring invasive species).
- Beyond technologies, the UK also has existing strengths in the services that will see increasing demand as the climate changes, including professional and business services, insurance and financial service activities. These services include engineering consultancy, environmental advisory and climate risk management.
- However, the UK’s adaptation economy remains relatively small, at most around one-third of the size of the net zero economy.
- With greater political ambition, the UK could become a leader in protecting communities vulnerable to the impacts of climate change both domestically and internationally, while also capturing economic opportunities from rapidly growing global markets.
This presentation was followed by a rich discussion from the panel, who reflected on the need for government action to provide the right conditions to harness the innovation potential, the importance of SMEs in driving forward this innovation and the support they require, and the barriers and challenges to mainstreaming adaptation action.
Special thanks to Jenny Bird, Nirusha Ridgwell, Chloe Thompson, Rio Fuseya, Cait Hewitt, Nicole Kichapski and Margherita Peracino for organising this event.