RESTRICTED Adapting to Climate Change in the UK

RESTRICTED Summer 2007 floods in the UK: 55,000+ homes and businesses flooded 140,000+ homes in Gloucestershire lost water supplies for over a week. serious damage to many schools in Hull, and major motorways were closed as were many railway stations and lines cost estimated at around £3 billion Context - experience of impacts Events in recent years, that may become more frequent as the climate changes, have shown us the importance of being prepared Summer 2003 heat wave in the UK: 2000 premature deaths 6 August Thames Water supplied 2603 million litres to London, 300 million litres above average £400 million in subsidence claims speed restrictions on rail lines (including the London Underground) and school closures

RESTRICTED Adapting to Climate Change in the UK What’s in the legislative framework? What is the role of Government? What level is the framework set at? What evidence do we have? What have we learned from our experience? Current work in the UK Summary of the UK experience Useful links

RESTRICTED The Climate Change Act (2008) Climate Change Risk Assessment Statutory adaptation programme Adaptation Sub-Committee to the Committee on Climate Change What is the role of Government ? To address market failure To address behavioural barriers: near term costs vs. greater long- term benefits on distributional grounds What’s in the legislative framework?

RESTRICTED Impacts will vary: Geography Land use Economic sectors Population density and so on Options for action will vary: Live with change Retreat from change Increase resilience Protect against change Intervention needs to be proportionate and timely (decision based) Intervention is often best designed at the local and regional level When should Government intervene? Proportionate action with decisions at the right level What is the role of Government?

RESTRICTED What level is the framework set at? The UK Government’s framework for delivering an efficient adaptation strategy therefore focuses on: providing and promoting information supporting co-ordination at local and regional levels embedding consistent targets and incentives across different levels and promoting co-ordination In line with this, our framework: has statutory requirements where it is appropriate has a strong focus on developing the evidence base What level is the framework set at?

RESTRICTED What evidence do we have? The UK Climate Projections 2009 World leading science, produced by a consortium A range of futures – 3 emission scenarios up to Probabilities – not a weather forecast - invaluable for risk assessment A training Programme across the country, in different regions and for different sectors – showing people how to use them - and detailed guidance on line. Approach taken based on UKCIP experience of working with stakeholders since 1996 Maps of the UK for: Temperature Rainfall Sea level on a 25 x 25 km grid

RESTRICTED The Climate Change Risk Assessment National Risk Assessment required (under Climate Change Act) to be delivered to Parliament by Jan Will then be updated every 5 years. Will provide evidence and analysis that will enable UK to: understand the level of risks (threats and opportunities) compare the risks of a changing climate with other pressures prioritise adaptation policy geographically and by sector assess the costs and benefits of adaptation actions and support the case for resources Part of the Risk Assessment includes an Economic Analysis: estimates a "price-tag" of adaptation identifies areas where action is most beneficial Stakeholder Steering Group overseeing the project What evidence do we have?

RESTRICTED Current work in the UK Which systems and processes have we targeted (mainstreaming)? Some examples: The HM Treasury Green Book Procurement Government estate Infrastructure Starting work on private sector Why have we targeted these systems and processes? these systems are all part of “business as usual” for all Government Departments and public sector organisations. Embedding adaptation in them means that it will be mainstreamed in our work.

RESTRICTED Summary of the UK experience Top down leadership was essential A clear framework for action, identifying “must do” tasks for the national level Cross-Government working from user perspective ensured that adaptation was embedded in key systems and processes, and that gaps in priority areas could be filled A continuous process (how to be good at risk – practice) – building in evaluations and reviews from the beginning, and updating our priorities and approaches accordingly.

RESTRICTED Useful Links The Climate Change Risk Assessment: Government systems, including the Green Book Guidance and infrastructure The role of Government, and the economic analysis paper on the role of Government The UK Climate Projections UK Climate Impacts Programme

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RESTRICTED Key lessons Need to get the right action at the right level - Climate Change Act requires us to undertake certain actions, and has helped drive activity, but only covers activities best done at the national level. UKCIP experience shows that just making evidence available is not enough: people have to understand how to use it. Stakeholder involvement in the development of the evidence base will ensure it’s focused on what decision-makers really need. What’s next? Continued evaluation and learning, feeding in to development. Partnership Boards established for national and regional level to steer the Programme’s work - will seek their feedback, as well as the input from the Adaptation Sub-Committee. Surveys to benchmark awareness, and targeted surveys about the UKCP09 experience. What have we learned?

RESTRICTED Summer 2007 floods in the UK: 55,000+ homes and businesses flooded 140,000+ homes in Gloucestershire lost water supplies for over a week. serious damage to many schools in Hull, and major motorways were closed as were many railway stations and lines cost estimated at around £3 billion Experience of impacts Events in recent years, that may become more frequent as the climate changes, have shown us the importance of being prepared Summer 2003 heat wave in the UK: 2000 premature deaths 6 August Thames Water supplied 2603 million litres to London, 300 million litres above average £400 million in subsidence claims speed restrictions on rail lines (including the London Underground) and school closures