The Climate Resilience Podcast

<p>The #JBAClimateResiliencePodcast is a new series hosted by Phil Emonson, JBA's Climate Resilience Transformation Lead, that features deep-dive conversations with inspirational thought leaders on the subject of #ClimateResilience. Exploring what resilience to climate change is all about, who has important roles to play, what challenges exist and what’s needed to deliver it.<br /><br /><b>How do we enhance society’s resilience to climate change?</b></p><p>Phil will be joined by inspiring guests from across the environmental sector and beyond, tackling big topics head-on and getting under the skin of how we raise awareness, adapt, respond and recover more effectively. <br /><br />Phil is a Technical Director at JBA with 18 years' experience in flood risk, climate resilience and emergency planning. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management and a Member of the Emergency Planning Society.  <br /><br />jbaconsulting.com<br />Follow us on LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/jba-consulting-ltd-jeremy-benn-/">JBA Consulting | LinkedIn</a> <br /><br /><br /></p>

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

12-09
33:34

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 hazards such as “wind drought,” and new modelling and supercomputing advances. Thank you for list...

11-18
33:03

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 with award-winning children’s author and poet Sophie Kirtley to discuss her recent collaboratio...

10-28
26:28

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 climate change. From building a culture that embraces failure to groundbreaking projects like JSat...

10-08
26:08

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 importance of a whole-society approach to climate resilience (Episode 9). In this episode, we explore...

09-23
35:31

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 ever partners – as they reflect on the headlines, highlights, and lessons learned along the way,...

09-01
35:39

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 decades since Hurricane Katrina. This conversation examines both the measurable progress and the...

08-20
30:06

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 the role of healthy soils and peatlands to the innovative use of pension fund capital, the discu...

08-11
34:02

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 collaboration and honest storytelling - Guy and Phil explore the realities of farming in a changing cl...

07-14
24:17

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 community dialogue on climate issues; and Jonathan Moxon, the Executive Manager for Flood and Climate ...

06-25
29:13

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 growth and resilience goals. From rethinking how we value and fund resilience to unlock the...

06-06
17:34

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 partnership, collaboration, and alliance, and their vital role in building whole-society resilience to ...

05-19
17:12

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 the role the ‘whole of society’ has to play in safeguarding people from the impacts of our changin...

04-22
31:07

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. Thank you for listening to this episode. For any comments, questions or insights please contact phil.emonson@jbaconsulting.com. Visit our website ...

03-17
29:53

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. Thank you for listening to this episode. For any comments, questions or insights please contact phil.emonson@jbaconsulting.com. Visit our website jbaconsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn...

02-17
28:38

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. Thank you for listening to this episode. For any comments, questions or insights please contact phil.emonson@jbaconsulting.com. Visit our website jbaconsulting.com or follow us on LinkedI...

01-20
31:31

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. Thank you for listening to this episode. For any comments, questions or insights please contact phil.emonson@jbaconsulting.com. Visit our website jbaconsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn JBA Consulting | LinkedIn

12-03
35:40

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' insights from JBA's Climate Resilience Week, 'Energy Sector and Climate Change: Resilience in a Low-Carbon Future'...

11-18
27:45

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 is to ensure that resilience partners across London can effectively prepare for, respond to and recover from...

11-04
27:21

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 a community of 11,000 members in 81 countries with a common goal in looking after the planet in a ...

10-21
30:10

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