Britain must prepare for the ’unavoidable’ impacts of climate change as well as continuing to cut carbon emissions, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman will say today.
The Adaptation Sub-Committee (ASC) will publish today the first national assessment of how well the prepared the UK is for climate change. The report concludes that, with the impacts of climate change already being felt in the UK, people must start preparing now.
With UK Climate Projections predicting significantly warmer summers, wetter winters and more frequent extreme weather events over the coming years, Caroline Spelman will use a speech to the ASC to issue a ’wake-up call’ to British society that urgent action is needed to protect our economy, our infrastructure and our way of life.
Caroline Spelman will say:
"Today’s report provides a wake- up call. It recognises that there is no part of our society which is immune from the effects of climate change. Which means that every part of our society must think about its resilience.
"While it is vital that we continue the task of drastically cutting our greenhouse gas emissions, we know that we are already facing levels of unavoidable climate change.
"Britain’s economy will only be as resilient and prepared as British firms, communities and infrastructure.
"Adapting to climate change may also offer some of its biggest opportunities. The transition to a low carbon, well-adapted global economy could create hundreds of thousands of sustainable green jobs. But we must – all of us – take steps now to recognise the problem, analyse the risk and plan ahead."
The ASC report found that while progress is being made by Government in raising awareness, more action needs to be taken on the ground in five priority areas – land use planning, infrastructure, buildings, natural resources and emergency planning. Defra has responded to the report by publishing a strategic statement outlining the way forward to adapt the UK to climate change risks and opportunities.
The statement will say:
• The Government is committed to continuing to push for real progress on a global climate deal.
• Because some change is now inevitable, we must act decisively to adapt to this. The sooner we do this, the less costly and dramatic these changes will need to be.
• We have made good progress – such as national policy statements which mean climate impacts are considered in the planning and design of major roads, railways, airports and power stations
• But the progress made on adaptation so far is, in truth, only the first step. The latest advice from the Adaptation Sub-Committee of the Committee on Climate Change shows there is still a long way to go.
• We will continue to improve our front line flood defences – the Prime Minister has already said that Defra is the Government’s emergency service.
• Climate change is also a local issue – we will devolve more power and responsibility to local people, institutions and frontline professionals to decide what changes are needed in their area.
• Climate change will bring opportunities for forward thinking businesses – e.g. warmer summers will extend tourism season, different foods will be grown, boosts to construction industry as buildings adapt. Businesses that have properly planned will thrive.
Caroline Spelman will also say:
"This Government is pushing ahead with measures to ensure that climate change adaptation becomes an ingrained part of how we manage our natural environment – particularly in critical areas such as water efficiency, biodiversity and food production.
"But Government cannot do it alone. We need to shift control for action away from the state while ensuring Government maintains its role in providing world class evidence and co-ordinating the actions of the many players involved in adaptation on the ground."
