The Climate Resilience Podcast
The Climate Resilience Podcast, hosted by Phil Emonson of JBA Consulting, explores what it really means to be resilient to climate change. Through conversations with experts from the environmental sector and beyond, the show unpacks key challenges and practical ways to adapt, respond, and recover. It aims to raise awareness and encourage broader involvement in building climate resilience.
Episodes
Building resilient landscapes: What happens when we work with nature?
Climate change is putting growing pressure on the landscapes, ecosystems and communities we value most. In this episode of the Climate Resilience Podcast, host Phil Emonson is joined by Ben Eardley, Nature Recovery Project Manager at the National Trust, to explore what it means to build resilience by working with nature, rather than trying to control it.From extreme heat and drought to pressures o
On track for resilience: How the rail industry is adapting to climate change
Transport networks are the backbone of modern life, yet they are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In this episode, host Phil Emonson is joined by two leading voices in rail: Network Rail's Lisa Constable, Head of Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation and Paul McBurney, Head of Structures & Third-Party Works at Translink, Northern Ireland, to explore what climat
Sport, climate and the future of resilience
As climate change reshapes the world around us, sport is increasingly feeling the effects - from extreme heat and flooding to disrupted schedules and threatened facilities. In this episode, Phil is joined by Claire Poole, Founder and CEO of Sport Positive, to explore the growing intersection of sport, climate change, and resilience.Together, they examine the environmental cost of mega-events such
The future of the UK’s climate-resilient infrastructure
Recorded immediately after JBA's invitation-only Climate Resilience Exchange at this year's Flood and Coast conference, in this episode, Phil sits down with David Hodcroft, Head of Strategic Infrastructure at Greater Manchester Combined Authority, to unpack the conversation. Together, they explore how the UK’s 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy can move from ambition to action - connecting
The ground beneath us: Exploring soil, health and climate resilience
In this episode, Professor Jack Gilbert - renowned microbial ecologist and Professor at UC San Diego - takes us beneath the surface to explore the hidden life of soil and why it matters more than we think. From the microscopic ecosystems that drive climate resilience to the profound connections between soil, culture, identity, and our sense of place, this conversation reveals why soil is far more
Losing well: Heritage, climate risk, and adaptation
Join host Phil Emonson as he sits down with Kate Guest, Senior Policy Advisor for Climate Change at Historic England, to explore the powerful intersection of heritage and climate adaptation.How can the stories embedded in our historic places help people better understand climate risk? Kate shares how Historic England is using culture and community narratives to engage the public in the urgent chal
Building a resilient nation
In this episode, Phil sits down with David Porter, President of the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE), to discuss some of the challenges we face in building a resilient nation. David has worked to address our changing climate in various ways throughout the course of his career. As Chief Executive for the Rivers Agency, Northern Ireland, he was involved in developing policies to communicate the im
The Climate Resilience Podcast revisited - Highlights from 2025
We’re on a mission to tackle the big climate resilience topics head-on. Over the last 23 episodes, Phil and our inspirational line-up of guests have explored the stories, strategies, and thought leaders driving real climate resilience - one episode at a time.In this special episode, relive some of our best bits from last year, including conversations with Guy Singh-Watson, Founder of Riverford Org
Scaling urban resilience: Reflections on the Resilient Cities Forum
“Resilience is not a slogan — it’s practice.”In this episode, Phil talks with Lina Liakou, Co‑Founder and Global Director for City Engagement & Practice at the Resilient Cities Network, about the Resilient Cities Forum in December and two major outputs: the Solutions Map and the Call to Scale Urban Resilience. Together, they take stock of a decade of urban resilience practice, unpack what real
Anthropy: Inspiring a better Britain
In this episode, Phil sits down with John O’Brien MBE, founder of Anthropy, to explore how a cross-sector gathering at the Eden Project is shaping a more resilient, prosperous Britain. John explains why Anthropy — framed around people, place, prosperity and global perspective — is designed as a hands-on “gathering” (not a conference), why delegates are asked to “leave their ego and silo at the doo
Managing climate extremes in the energy and infrastructure sectors
In this episode, Phil is joined by Met Office fellow in Weather & Climate Extremes and Visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde, Dr Emily Wallace. Together they explore how forecasting, climate projections, and cross-sector partnerships, including work with National Energy System Operator (NESO), are shaping UK resilience — with a particular focus on the energy transition, emerging
We Are Resilience with Sophie Kirtley
When science meets storytelling, something magical happens.Climate science can often feel abstract, complex, or inaccessible. But when those same ideas are translated through stories and art, they become personal and relatable. From a picture book to a film, creative storytelling evokes emotion — a universal language that connects people of all ages and backgrounds.In this episode, Phil sits down
Innovation for a resilient future
Innovation isn’t just about shiny new tech—it’s about people, culture, and those small, everyday changes that add up to big impact. In this episode of the Climate Resilience Podcast, Phil sits down with Nick Law, who leads the commercial side of JBA Labs, our in-house innovation accelerator programme, and Richard Beardsley from Affinity Water to unpack what innovation really means in the face of c
1st Birthday Special: Continuing the conversation on whole society and social value
The Climate Resilience Podcast turns one! To celebrate our birthday, host Phil Emonson is joined by three returning guests: Kat Cornfield (Environment Agency), Lucy Formoy (JBA Consulting), and Karl Astbury (Resilient Cities Network).Together, they revisit and build on two of our most impactful discussions so far: the role of social value in creating resilient communities (Episode 7) and the impor
JBA at 30: Resilient organisations
As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, in this episode of The Climate Resilience Podcast, we look back at JBA’s journey – from its beginnings three decades ago to the milestones and defining moments that have shaped who we are as an organisation today. Phil is joined by JBA’s Executive Chair and Founder, Jeremy Benn, and Richard Maltby, Director of Maltby Land Surveys Ltd – one of our first
Special episode: Hurricane Katrina at 20
In this powerful special episode of The Climate Resilience Podcast, host Phil Emonson is joined by Mannan Donoghoe, a Fellow at The Brookings Institution’s Centre for Community Uplift and co-author of the recently published New Orleans Index at Twenty report.Together, Phil and Mannan unpack the report, which is a comprehensive look at how the city has rebounded, reimagined, and rebuilt in the two
Nature-based solutions: Creating resilient places and landscapes
In this episode of the Climate Resilience Podcast, host Phil Emonson is joined by Steve Maslen (JBA Consulting) and Rob Gardner (CEO and Co-Founder of Rebalance Earth) for an inspiring conversation about the power and potential of nature-based solutions (NbS).Together, they explore how working with nature—not against it—can build climate resilience across landscapes, cities, and communities. From
Farming on the edge: Climate, crisis & collective resilience with Guy Singh-Watson
What does climate resilience really mean when the land beneath you is being washed away?In this riveting episode of the Climate Resilience Podcast, host Phil Emonson is joined by one of the UK’s most influential voices in ethical agriculture — Guy Singh-Watson, founder and CEO of Riverford Organic Farmers. Sharing raw insights from the field - from soil loss and water stress to the power of collab
Who’s responsible for resilience? And how do we share the load?
On this episode of The Climate Resilience Podcast, host Phil Emonson asks a critical question: Who is responsible for resilience—and how can we better share the load?Phil is joined by two dynamic guests for this discussion: Steve Scott-Bottoms, a Professor of Contemporary Theatre and Performance at the University of Manchester, who has three decades of experience in using the arts to foster commun
Bonus episode: Reflections on Flood and Coast
In this special bonus episode of The Climate Resilience Podcast, host Phil Emonson sits down with Marc Pinnell, JBA’s Managing Director, to reflect on the standout moments and key insights from this year’s Flood and Coast conference. Together, they explore how events like Flood & Coast can catalyse real change, highlighting the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in achieving the UK’s
A Flood & Coast Conference special episode
In this episode, Phil is joined by Shelley Evans, Technical Director at JBA, as they look ahead to one of the industry's most important events — the annual Flood & Coast Conference, taking place in early June. Together, they explore JBA’s exciting programme of involvement across the three-day event, including key sessions and activities. The conversation highlights the central themes of p
The role of assets in building resilience to climate change
In this episode, focused on assets – the structures, schemes, and defences that keep us safe and protected - Phil is joined by Claire Francis, Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for the Environment Agency, Solent and South Downs, along with JBA’s Richard Chubb, Associate Director, and Alec Dane, Chartered Civil Engineer. Together, they explore the shift towards greater shared responsibility and t
Whole society resilience: A deep dive
In Episode 9 of the Climate Resilience Podcast, Phil is joined by JBA's Emergency Planning Lead Toby Jones and Global Resilient Cities Network's Karl Astbury. Together, they dive into whole-society resilience, exploring how communities, businesses and governments can work together to build a more inclusive, people-centred approach to resilience.Send us Fan MailThank you for listening to
Shaping sustainable and resilient communities through planning and development
In Episode 8 of the Climate Resilience Podcast, Phil is joined by JBA's Iain Armstrong, Principal Planning Consultant, and planning expert Bart Milburn. Together, they explore how planning and development can shape sustainable, resilient communities - places where people can live, work, and thrive. Send us Fan MailThank you for listening to this episode. For any comments, questions or insight
The role of social value in building whole-society resilience to climate change
In episode 7 of the Climate Resilience Podcast, Phil is joined by Lucy Formoy, JBA's Social Value and Engagement Lead, and Kat Cornfield, Social Equity Senior Advisor at the Environment Agency. Together, they explore the critical role of social value in building whole-society resilience to climate change.Send us Fan MailThank you for listening to this episode. For any comments, questions or i
In conversation with Elizabeth Rapoport
In episode 6 of the Climate Resilience Podcast, Phil is joined by Elizabeth Rapoport, Chair of London Surface Water Strategic Group for a conversation where they dive into her roles and the experiences that have shaped her work.Send us Fan MailThank you for listening to this episode. For any comments, questions or insights please contact phil.emonson@jbaconsulting.com.Visit our website jbaconsulti
Ensuring resilience in a low carbon future
In Episode 5 of JBA's Climate Resilience Podcast, Phil welcomes Charles McAllister, JBA's Technical Director and Energy Lead, for a compelling discussion on the energy sector's role in addressing climate change.While earlier episodes have centered on climate hazards, this episode broadens the focus to examine the synergy between energy and climate resilience. Drawing on Charles&apos
Recovery: A deep dive
This episode stems from a slightly provocative post on X by Matt Hogan. he simply asked- 'In the context of emergency management, does recovery even exist?'Matt, Evie and Phil take a deep dive into this.Matt Hogan is the Deputy Head of Resilience at the Greater London Authority and his background is in Emergency Management in various health sector organisations. Matt's current role
Resilience and adaptation as CIWEM presidential themes
Today's episode has a celebratory feel to it as Phil is joined by special guests Hannah Burgess and Peter Rook, the new President and Junior President of the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM).Hannah Burgess is the new CIWEM President and Regional Delivery Director at Binnies. Peter Rook is the CIWEM Junior President and Chartered Senior Analyst at JBA.CIWEM is
Embedding resilience through effective change management
In Episode 2, 'Embedding Resilience through effective Change Management', Phil is joined by JBA colleague, Neil Wiseman and special guest, Harjit Lota from NorthHighland. Harjit is a Client Director in the UK public sector team at North Highland. He has worked in the public sector for over 20 years with a systems thinking background. His experience includes working on rail and road infra
What is resilience to climate change?
Episode 1 is slightly different, Phil Emonson is joined by Steve Thompsett and Jenny Broomby.Jenny is JBA's Catchment and Resilience Lead with a range of experience across various environmental disciplines. Steve Thompsett is our Head of Water Management. With over 25 years of experience in the flood, water and environmental sector and is a former president of CIWEM. We wanted to start at th
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