Climate Risk Mapping for London’s Cultural Venues

New climate risk mapping from Bloomberg Associates shows that over two thirds of arts and cultural venues in London are at a higher-than-average climate risk. This means they are more likely to be affected by extreme weather that we are experiencing more frequently due to climate change. Over 1,100 cinemas, theatres, museums, arts organisations, and grassroots music venues have been plotted against climate risk metrics, but not all of them are at equal risk. Grassroots music venues are at the highest risk (81%), followed by arts organisations (78%), cinemas (74%), and theatres (71%). London’s museums came last in the rankings (55%), but more than half are still at higher-than-average climate risk.

Led by Bloomberg Associates, a pro-bono consultancy that advises city governments, this mapping is a vital first step in understanding how cultural venues can become more resilient. Lauren Racusin who does Sustainability at Bloomberg Associates said:

“Knowing your organisational risks is the best way to start to plan for climate adaptation. These maps show that cultural venues across London especially face heat and flood risks, but by taking a cross-sector approach we hope venues will realise their challenges are shared and can start to tackle them together.”

---

About the maps

A series of London-wide climate risk maps has been produced to analyse climate exposure and vulnerability across Greater London with an overlay of cultural organisations. These new maps are based off maps originally produced by Bloomberg Associates in collaboration with the Greater London Authority (GLA) to help local authorities and London-based organisations deliver equitable responses to the impacts of climate change, targeting resources to support communities at highest risk.

Climate vulnerability relates to people’s exposure to climate impacts like flooding or heatwaves, but also to personal and social factors that affect their ability to cope with and respond to extreme events. High climate risk coincides with areas of income and health inequalities. A series of citywide maps overlays key metrics to identify areas within London that are most exposed to climate impacts with high concentrations of vulnerable populations.

These cultural risk maps were produced by Bloomberg Associates in collaboration with BFI and South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us for cultural organisations to better understand their specific climate risk in order to better prepare and adapt for climate events and to play a stronger role to support their communities during those events. It responds to Recommendation 15 of the London Climate Resilience Review which calls on cultural organisations to identify their specific challenges and unique role in climate adaptation.

Who should use the maps

Senior leaders of arts and cultural venues, Facilities and Operations Managers, Climate and Sustainability specialists. Policymakers, local and national government planners and industry bodies can use this as an evidence base for a culture-led approach to climate action, utilising venues as important spaces in a climate-resilient public health response.

How to use them

Find your organisation plotted on the map. Maps are marked by risk type: flood risk, heat risk, and overall climate risk. Areas with darker shading are those in a higher risk area. You should use these as a strong evidence base for future development of your estates and facilities, adapting your operations, and strategic planning. These maps are downloadable for the whole of London, central London, and by borough.

How to make your organisation more climate resilient

There are a range of resources that can support you in planning to make your organisation or venue more climate resilient. Explore the resources from JB’s Leading Resilience strand of the Arts Council England Environmental Programme.

Climate adaptation now!

If you’re ready to begin adapting your organisation to climate, you can sign up to the BFI’s Cool off in Culture campaign to get your venue on a new cool spaces map. You might have air conditioning, water points, or just some seating in a cool corner: it all counts when the heat is on.