Good for you, good for the people around you
When flooding threatens your home, intense heat puts your family’s health at risk, or supply chain disruption jeopardises your business, preparation makes all the difference. These are just some of the risks already arriving here in Henley – increasing in frequency and intensity, and interconnected in ways that affect every aspect of our lives. The good news is that communities who prepare together are far better placed to protect what matters most.
River and groundwater flooding, as well as surface water flooding that can strike anywhere with little or no warning – causing damage to homes, businesses and roads, with many properties becoming uninsurable.
Serious health impacts, especially for children, older and vulnerable residents, with infrastructure failure and disruption to daily life during prolonged hot spells.
Prolonged dry spells and heat are increasing the risk of wildfire across woodland and green spaces close to Henley – threatening homes, businesses, wildlife and air quality.
Pressure on household water supply, local green spaces and the River Thames – affecting residents, businesses and local farmers and raising food prices as UK agricultural production falls.
Rising food prices and supply disruption as UK agriculture, fisheries and forestry come under increasing climate strain.
The wildlife, rivers and green spaces that make Henley special are under threat – with direct knock-on effects for flood resilience, food production, and our physical and mental health.
Worsening heart and lung conditions from heat and air quality; spread of new infectious and vector-borne diseases as the climate shifts.
Anxiety, isolation and trauma from repeated extreme weather events – affecting individuals, families and whole communities.
Transport, energy, IT and communications networks disrupted by extreme weather – affecting businesses and daily life.
Significant damage from flooding and storms, with rising premiums and many homes and businesses becoming uninsurable.
GP and health practices, Townlands Hospital, schools and local services stretched by rising climate-related demand – from emergency response to long-term health needs.
As extreme weather damages food availability and supply chains, we face the loss of >50% of the global economy in coming decades. The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries warn that, without immediate ‘transformative’ action, ‘there will be no economy’. 18% of the world’s surface area currently occupied by humans will soon have unlivable temperatures. In 2023, the UN secretary general warned of ‘’mass migration on a biblical scale’.
‘Henley Prepared’ is the thread that runs through everything we do – through our work with schools and businesses, our events, and our Pledge for the Planet platform – helping individuals, families, schools, and organisations build the knowledge, connections, and practical readiness to face what lies ahead with confidence.
Greener Henley is at the forefront of community resilience in the UK. Our Green Futures Awards is the first climate and nature schools programme in the country to embed resilience at its heart – helping schools prepare operationally for increasing climate risks as well as supporting young people to build the inner resilience they’ll need for the world ahead. And through events like our business resilience workshop (see video) at Henley Business School in March 2026, we are helping to set the agenda for how communities across the UK prepare for the challenges ahead.
See our ‘Henley Prepared’ Pledges for the Planet
Access our Business Climate Resilience Toolkit
Find out more about our event Protecting What We Love: Tackling Flooding and Pollution November 2025
