Responding to climate change needs a principled approach

Responding to climate change requires practical tools

Responding to climate change involves collaboration

Responding to climate change calls for creativity

The Meaning of a No Regrets Strategy

Climate change is complex, its exact patterns and impacts are uncertain.

No Regrets strategies are based on concepts and measures that can begin to be enacted now without being certain about all dimensions of future climate change. Measures are taken and strategies are thus adopted in a precautionary sense with the aim of responding to possible negative impacts before they intensify. Such measures are advisable for future generations, but also relevant to enhancing the living conditions of people in the present.

No Regrets strategies crosses the boundary between adaptation and mitigation. With No Regrets strategies, the benefits of adaptation and mitigation measures therefore continue even if the effects of climate change are not as horrific as currently anticipated.

Click here for a downloadable document of the No Regrets Charter

Principles and Practices for Responding to Climate Change

Responding to climate change needs a principled approach



Our approach builds adaptability and resilience across all the domains of social life based on principles of good practice — economic, ecological, political and cultural (Assessment Circles)



Responding to climate change requires practical tools



Our approach offers a practical method for sensitively assessing, defining, implementing, measuring and communicating responses to the critical issues of sustainability (Process Circles).



Responding to climate change involves collaboration



Our approach provides a way of bringing together different constituents in an integrated partnership (Engagement Circles).



Responding to climate change calls for creativity



Our approach guides a city creatively through the processes of understanding the inevitable tensions and contradictions in any complex system (Knowledge Circles).