New paper released on turning complex climate data into action

Local authorities and service providers are at the forefront of responding to the impacts of climate change. Yet, the evidence needed to guide effective action is often scattered, technical, and difficult to apply. New research published in Cities & Health provides a solution, showcasing the Local Climate Adaptation Tool (LCAT) which makes complex climate information clear, accessible, and easier to implement.

Read the paper

 

The new research paper ‘Visualising cross-sector climate change impacts on health to support local decision-making‘ led by Marissa Rice at the University of Exeter, uses a systems thinking approach to translate scientific evidence into visual elements that explain how different climate impacts interact. For example, how heatwaves strain health services or how flooding can lead to health impacts. These visuals have been created based on a model known as the ‘modified Driver‑Pressure‑State‑Exposure‑Effect‑Action (mDPSEEA)’.

These diagrams reveal how climate risks intersect with health, infrastructure, and society, helping users identify practical adaptation measures. Crucially, the tool presents information in plain, accessible language, supporting those who may not have specialist climate expertise.

Lead Author Marissa Rice, said: “We wanted to create systems diagrams that make complex climate relationships easy to grasp at a glance. By presenting clear visual connections (without the jargon) we’re helping local decision‑makers to quickly understand how climate risks interact and where meaningful action can be taken. It’s about giving people confidence to engage with the evidence, even if they’re not climate specialists.”

 

Developed collaboratively with Cornwall Council in the UK and a National Stakeholder Group, LCAT emphasises health, cross‑sector collaboration, and iterative design. While created for UK decision‑makers, the research explains that the tool can be applied to other regions and contexts.

By re‑imagining how evidence is organised and communicated, this work demonstrates how new tools can help bridge the gap between climate knowledge and climate action.

For more information or questions about LCAT please contact Helen Underhill.

Full citation
Rice, M., Dicken, J., Taylor, T., Hobbs, R., Below, C., Walton, A., … Bland, E. (2026). Visualising cross-sector climate change impacts on health to support local decision-making. Cities & Health, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/23748834.2026.2638046