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 climate resilience looks like in practice. Together, they discuss how extreme weather is reshaping operational decision-making, the adaptation pathways needed for long-lived infrastructure, approaches to securing investment, and the lessons other sectors can learn from rail's experience. Whether you work in infrastructure, policy, emergency management, or simply care about building more resilient communities, this episode offers practical insights into the power of data, collaboration, long-term planning, and strategic investment.

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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 as the FIFA World Cup and ask whether global sporting competitions need to be reimagined in an era of climate uncertainty. What would a climate-conscious approach to awarding, scheduling, and delivering major events look like? And are there examples already leading the way?

The conversation also explores the power of sport as a storytelling tool. While climate science and policy can struggle to connect with wider audiences, sport has a unique ability to engage people across cultures, communities, and generations. Could it become one of the most effective ways to communicate climate resilience?

Finally, they turn to the communities on the front line: local clubs, volunteers, and fans already adapting to changing conditions. Claire explains how sport can move beyond raising awareness to become a practical force for resilience, inclusion, and local climate action.

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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 infrastructure delivery, catchment-scale thinking, governance reform, nature-based solutions, private finance, and community outcomes into one joined-up resilience approach.

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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 than just a foundation - it’s a living system central to our future.

We explore the links between soil health and public health, the importance of land stewardship, and the value of indigenous and local knowledge in restoring balance to our landscapes. The episode also spotlights Dr Gilbert's involvement with The Soil Stars - a group of world-class scientists and experts developing and deploying soil microbial strategies to combat climate change, and looks ahead to Oath Biome, where science is being translated into action to build a more resilient future from the ground up.

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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 challenges facing our built heritage - from coastal erosion to extreme weather.

The conversation dives into the difficult idea of “losing well” when preservation is no longer possible and unpacks key adaptation concepts like adaptive release and adaptation pathways. With real-world examples, this episode highlights what it means to make thoughtful, forward-looking decisions about the future of historic assets.

Whether you work in climate policy, heritage, infrastructure, or simply care about protecting the places that shape our identity, this episode offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on resilience in a changing world.

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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 impacts of climate change. More recently,  in his role as Director of Engineering, Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland, he has been involved with climate change legislation for Northern Ireland, in particular, developing a sectoral plan for infrastructure. 

Tune in as Phil and David discuss:

• How do we communicate the value of infrastructure? In particular, the challenges we face in maintaining our existing assets.
• The ICE's 2026 State of the Nation report and the three key areas for improvement needed if the government is to deliver on its ambitious 10-year UK Infrastructure Strategy - supply chain and productivity, innovation and collaboration.
• Capability and capacity - what skills are needed for the future?

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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 Organic Farmers, Rob Gardner, CEO and Co-Founder of Rebalance Earth and Dr Emily Wallace, Met Office Fellow in Weather & Climate Extremes. 

Whether you’re new to the show or a long-time listener, this is a great way to catch up on key ideas and insights you might have missed — or simply to reflect on them in a new way.

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“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 really works in cities (governance, finance, data and community), and tackle the hard questions of how to move from inspiring pilots — community resilience hubs, green schoolyards, integrated capital planning — to durable, citywide systems. Lina explains common barriers (siloed funding, lack of evaluation, political turnover) and why collective action, skills-building and institutional buy‑in are essential.

An insightful conversation for city leaders, planners, funders, resilience practitioners and community organisers looking for practical routes to scale proven resilience solutions.

Find out more and join the Call to Scale Urban Resilience here.

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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 door,” and how mixing business leaders, artists, social entrepreneurs and young voices sparks new solutions.

Listen for a lively conversation on the role of civic engagement, the power of business for good, and the importance of emerging leaders in building a resilient future. 

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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 hazards such as “wind drought,” and new modelling and supercomputing advances.

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