Just 5 per cent of the British public feel prepared for climate change, according to an LGA poll.
The survey, conducted by YouGov, asked more than 2,100 adults about their concerns around global warming following extreme weather events in recent years.
It found that 63 per cent of respondents are worried about climate change while only 12 per cent think it will not impact their local area.
The public were most worried about storms, flooding and heatwaves, while they were least worried about wildfires or the impact on the economy and public services, the survey found.
The LGA is calling for a rapid acceleration in the adaptation work needed to prepare for the impacts of climate change.
This includes measures to protect the most vulnerable, build flood defences, secure local infrastructure, cool homes and buildings, and to be ready for water and food insecurity.
Councils are also calling for government guidance on critical thresholds for different weather patterns, including the threshold temperatures that different services can change or close, from play areas to libraries.
Cllr Darren Rodwell, LGA Environment Spokesperson, said: “Councils want to play their full role in preparing people and places for the impacts of climate change on local areas.
“As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, the public sense of unpreparedness will undoubtedly harden and grow.
“Councils are doing fantastic work to tackle climate change and we want our communities to feel secure in their homes and local areas.
“The public trust us most because we are rooted in communities and understand places: we must be given the tools and funding needed to make that happen.”
- See ‘Acting on climate change’ for more on the LGA’s Make It Local campaign work in this area.