The Climate Resilience Taskforce is a cross-sector initiative led by techUK to explore how technology can enable the UK’s response to growing climate risks. The current phase of the Taskforce is focused on the water sector, bringing together members and stakeholders to shape the future of a more resilient, digitally enabled water system.
About the Workstream
This sectoral workstream will run from until the end of 2025 and will operate in tandem with techUK’s new Water Digitalisation Working Group. It will explore how digital technologies such as IoT sensors, AI, digital twins, remote sensing, and platforms can help address key challenges including:
- Leakage prevention and asset management
- Flood forecasting and early warning
- Wastewater monitoring and pollution control
- Public health protection and water quality
- Real-time performance monitoring and regulatory transparency
This work coincides with the upcoming report from the Independent Water Commission for Defra, which is currently gathering evidence on how to create a “water sector fit for the future.” The Commission’s findings, due later this year, are expected to make significant recommendations around resilience, investment, and innovation—making this a pivotal moment for the technology sector to engage.
What We’re Doing
- Hosting roundtables and stakeholder engagement sessions with regulators, utilities, local government, and the tech ecosystem
- Showcasing scalable innovation use cases and best practice in climate resilience
- Shaping policy recommendations and industry insights to support Defra, Ofwat, the Environment Agency and others
- Publishing a Water Resilience Insight Brief at the end of the year
Get Involved
Membership of the Climate Resilience Taskforce is sector-specific and time-limited. Participation in this water-focused workstream is open from until the end of year, after which the Taskforce will shift to a new focus area.
We are currently operating with a limited group of members, but we are open to bringing in a small number of additional participants with relevant experience in water and adaptation. We also welcome cross-sector resilience expertise, recognising that lessons from other sectors such as energy, infrastructure or transport can strengthen our collective approach.
Contact [email protected] to learn more or express interest. If you are interested in the Water Digitalisation Working Group, please contact [email protected].
Climate, Environment and Sustainability Programme activities
The techUK Climate Programme provides opportunities for members to present tech solutions that assist carbon emission reduction, circularity, and human rights goals. We also help our members with their own net zero transition, including measurement, implementation, compliance, and reporting. Visit the programme page here.
Upcoming events
Latest news and insights
Learn more and get involved
Climate, Environment and Sustainability updates
Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities from our Climate, Environment and Sustainability programme.
Meet the team
Craig Melson
Craig Melson
Craig is Associate Director for Climate, Environment and Sustainability and leads on our work in these areas ranging from climate change, ESG disclosures and due diligence, through to circular economy, business and human rights, conflict minerals and post-Brexit regulation.
Prior to joining techUK he worked in public affairs and policy has an avid interest in new and emerging technologies. Craig has a degree in Ancient History from King’s College London and spends his time watching Watford FC and holding out hope for Half Life 3.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2172
- Twitter:
- @techUK,@techUK
- Website:
- www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://uk.linkedin.com/in/craig-melson-25479936,https://uk.linkedin.com/in/craig-melson-25479936
Josh Turpin
Josh Turpin
Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.
In this role, working jointly across the techUK Telecoms and Climate Programmes, Josh is responsible for leading on telecoms infrastructure deployment and uptake and supporting innovation opportunities, as well as looking at how the tech sector can be further utilised in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.
Prior to joining techUK, Josh’s background was in public affairs and communications, working for organisations across a diverse portfolio of sectors including defence, telecoms and infrastructure; aiding clients through stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media outreach as well as secretariat duties.
Outside of work, Josh has a keen interest in music, painting and sailing.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2038
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turpin/
Lucas Banach
Lucas Banach
Lucas Banach is Programme Assistant at techUK, he works on a range of programmes including Data Centres; Climate, Environment & Sustainability; Market Access and Smart Infrastructure and Systems.
Before that Lucas who joined in 2008, held various roles in our organisation, which included his role as Office Executive, Groups and Concept Viability Administrator, and most recently he worked as Programme Executive for Public Sector. He has a postgraduate degree in International Relations from the Andrzej Frycz-Modrzewski Cracow University.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2006
- Twitter:
- @techUK
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-banach-50139650