18 June 2009
National report helps England’s Northwest prepare for climate
change
Work to prepare the Northwest for the inevitable effects of
climate change will be given a boost from today, as organisations
working to tackle climate change in the region get access to a new
set of ‘future climate scenarios’ produced by DEFRA.
The partnership responsible for delivering the Northwest Climate
Change Action Plan, together with the Northwest Regional
Development Agency (NWDA) has welcomed the new DEFRA report: ‘UK
Climate Projections 2009’ (released today – 19.6.09) and have
committed to use the report’s 90-year climate scenarios to
strengthen the region’s approach to climate change adaptation in
the future.
The DEFRA report includes a number of probable scenarios for
changes in the Northwest’s climate, weather and marine activity due
to climate change, including a projected rise of 16% in average
winter rainfall in the region - with increases in the amount of
rain on the wettest days leading to a higher risk of
flooding.
The report enables the Northwest Climate Change Partnership to
target funding and project support more effectively, so that the
possible negative impacts of climate change can be mitigated.
This means that the current programme of adaptation activity
being delivered by the Northwest Climate Change Partnership can
evolve where appropriate to have greater impact.
This activity being delivered by the partnership includes the
Environment Agency’s flood and shoreline management plans; Natural
England’s work to reduce the impact on the region’s biodiversity
and landscapes, building on the report for the High Fells of the
Lake District; Community Forests Northwest assessment into the
impact green infrastructure and regional parks can play in
capturing carbon emissions and reducing impacts of increased heat
and flooding; and regional health services assessment of the
impacts on future healthcare provision.
The Partnership will also work with business and local
authorities across the region, to encourage a more localised use of
the DEFRA scenarios, and in particular to encourage use of the
tools within the report, such as key statistics, graphs,
customisable maps and data on trends, to inform and improve
adaptation activity across the whole of the Northwest.
Bryan Gray, Chair of the Northwest Regional Development Agency,
said:
“The’ UK Climate Projections’ report comes at a time when the
issues of energy and climate change are becoming increasingly high
profile global priorities and one of the most significant
challenges facing the world today. The NWDA together with the
Northwest Climate Change Unit recognises the unprecedented
challenges our environment, economy and energy supplies will face
in the very near future.
“We welcome these new projections that provide us with a vital
insight into the specific challenges our region will face. This
will allow us to prepare our businesses and communities even more
effectively though strong partnership working.”
Continuing its commitment to make climate change scenario planning
as integrated into regional planning as possible, the Climate
Change Partnership is also launching a second report available to
its stakeholders and partners today – the ARUP study: Impacts and
Responses for Key Business Sectors and Public Services in the
Northwest of England. The report, which has been written on
behalf of the Partnership, takes a set of possible changes to the
regional climate and then assesses the impacts on logistics,
finance, markets, process, people and premises, for all
sectors.
Alice Owen, Associate Director at Arup, who led the team that
authored the report, said:
"This research helps organisations to focus on the aspects of
climate change that are most relevant to them. It takes a
subject that can appear complicated and breaks the issues down into
manageable chunks. This enables businesses to take appropriate
action now in order to become more successful in the future."
The NWDA is the lead regional Development Agency for Energy and
Climate Change, galvanizing action in all the English regions to
contribute to renewable energy priorities.
For further information about the Northwest Climate Change
Action Plan, the Climate Change Partnership or the work of the
partnership around climate change adaptation, please visit www.climatechangenorthwest.co.uk
For further information about the DEFRA report, ‘UK Climate
Projections 2009’ please visit www.ukcp09.net
--- Ends ---
Notes to Editors
For further information on the Northwest Climate Change
Partnership contact Andrew Peacock at Creative Concern on 0161 236
0600 or email andrewpeacock@creativeconcern.com
The Northwest Climate Change Partnership is a group of
organisations that drives and supports the implementation of the
Climate Change Action Plan. The partnership was formed in January
2007 and meets quarterly to:
* Monitor and communicate progress in the
delivery of the Climate Change Action Plan.
* Take advantage of emerging opportunities and
promote the Climate Change Action Plan.
* Provide advice and recommendations to
strategic regional bodies on energy and climate change matters.
Each member of the Northwest Climate Change Partnership has a
responsibility to deliver specific actions with the Climate Change
Action Plan.
The Northwest Climate Change Action Plan aims to stimulate and
measure the progress of England's Northwest towards a low-carbon
economy, preparing it for the challenges of a changing climate and
expected future energy demands, whilst protecting and enhancing
quality of life and preserving the Northwest's rich
environment.
The Action Plan has been developed in partnership with regional
organisations and experts and will be delivered by the Northwest
Climate Change Partnership over the next three years. The Action
Plan details prioritised actions that need to be delivered within
the context of the North West Sustainable Energy Strategy (the
regional strategy which responds to the energy challenges that lie
ahead) and the Regional Economic Strategy (the regional strategy to
grow and support the Northwest economy).
For further information please contact Shelley Tattersall, Press
Officer on 01925 400256 or mobile 07500 128482 or shelley.tattersall@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925
400259.
For further information and to view previous press releases
visit us at www.nwda.co.uk/press
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life