Getting Climate Change Adaptation on the Agenda

7 December 2010

Gill Fenna - Quantum Strategy & Technology

Climate Change Adaptation

• Understanding how weather patterns are expected to change in the future

• Planning to avoid these changes causing us problems

The Process• Understanding the risks• Deciding where/whether to reduce vulnerability

or respond to the risk• Reducing vulnerability

– Planning to minimise & manage the risks– Developing community & business resilience

• Dealing with an event– Emergency Planning – immediate response– Business Continuity - maintaining services– Recovery – picking up the pieces

Twin Approach to Reducing Vulnerability

• Building Adaptive Capacity– Policies, strategies, embedding– Training, education, awareness– Creating resilience– Resources and management

• Delivering Actions– Building flood defences– Installing natural cooling– Storm-proofing buildings– Replacing road surfaces

Some Issues Faced• Understanding the difference climate change might make

to a response-based approach

• Dealing with changes beyond the planning horizon of most organisations

• Developing a business case for investment against future risk – lack of data

• Identifying what’s important to do now (or soon)

• Parking things that may be necessary in a few years (but not right now)

What about NI188?

• No return required for Year 3• “Local Authorities have an essential role to play

in planning ahead & taking adaptation action” Robin Mortimer, Defra communication to Chief Executives, 11/11/10

• Regional Climate Change Partnerships and RIEPS to take lead role

• Many statutory responsibilities linked to climate change adaptation remain

Use Civil Contingencies

• NI 188 process has helped to focus attention and review existing plans

• Weather emergencies should already be covered in risk management

• Loss of staff should be covered in business continuity (planned for flu pandemic)

• Public Health/NHS have planned for heatwaves & extreme cold

Everyone likes a good emergency

Use Other Responsibilities

• Planning policy should already take climate change into account for new developments

• Flood & Surface Water Management Act responsibilities

• Public Health responsibilities coming to Local Authorities

Use Quantified Risk Assessment

• Financial cost to the council of dealing with a weather emergency

• Impact on ability to deliver services• Impact on customers or constituents – injury, illness or

death• Impact on council’s activities if own staff are affected• Liability for injury, damage or loss of life• Reputational risk – even if it isn’t your responsibility

Council Impact – Allerdale 2010• Clearing mud, silt & debris• Skips for water-damaged goods - 291

tonnes• 8000 sandbags distributed• Emergency helpline – 20 staff• Provision of food, protective clothing,

barriers, a generator, mobile banking facilities, temporary street lighting, medical assistance

• Libraries used as flood support centres• Provision of temporary accommodation• 700 properties inspected for structural

failure • Relief fund for shop owners

Costs of 2007 FloodsImpact £ million % insuredHouseholds 1200 76%Businesses 740 95%Temporary Accommodation 94 95%Vehicles 80 95%Local Government 219 45%Public Health 287 n/aUtilities 325 32%Communications 144 50%Agriculture 50 5%Environment Agency 19 n/aEmergency Services 8 45%  3166  

Defra: The costs of the 2007 Floods in England

The report underestimates:Actual financial outlay by households and businessesLong term public health impacts

Dealing with Recovery - Hull 2007“After the Rain”, LEC 2010• 8,600 homes affected, 91 schools• Stress – managing repairs, dealing with

officials, insurers & contractors, unfairness, insensitivity

• Poor quality repairs & advice• Lack of co-ordination between different

organisations• Money worries – upfront payments, rent,

insurance• Health problems – respiratory, infections,

exhaustion, allergies

Typical Gaps – Long Term Thinking• Green space planning• Surface water management - communication• Implementation of planning policy• Reducing the effect of excessive heat• Assessment of budget implications of prevention

vs dealing with the event– Roads maintenance, tree maintenance, social care,

housing

• Maximising community involvement

Don’t forget the small things

• Simple solutions may be suggested by staff– Changing dress codes/uniforms– Changing timetables– Re-setting controls

• Think about the detail and how things work in practice– Do IT systems work if everyone logs on from home? – Capturing knowledge of how people already deal with

problems

Experience so far

• Emergency response is well-planned• Business continuity planning is in place but gaps

in some cases• Recovery phase planning not generally well

understood or developed• Prevention only really considered for serious

risks e.g. flooding, and in some new developments– “ we are very good at managing failure”

Questions• What’s driving your work on adaptation? Do you see that

changing

• What are the key arguments/issues that have persuaded senior management?

• What has helped you make progress?

• What are the main problems you face?