The UK is set to be amongst the best prepared nations for the implications of climate change following publication of a groundbreaking study into the threats the country faces.

The Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) highlights the top 100 challenges to the UK and our economy of a changing climate and provides the most compelling evidence yet of the need to increase our resilience. The research confirms the UK as a world-leader in understanding climate risk to ensure we can make robust plans to deal with these threats.

In order to provide a reliable baseline for decisions by Government, local authorities and businesses the research does not take into account any future policies or plans. However, a Government report published alongside the CCRA does highlight the many current and future policies already in place and gives details of plans which will address some of the risks identified.

The Government has also announced a National Adaptation Programme that will prepare the UK for the effects of climate change, including the risks set out in the CCRA. People are encouraged to give their views through a new website on the action needed to tackle the implications of climate change where they live and work. (more…)

The Environment Agency is calling on Newhaven, Seaford and Lewes residents to take part in an innovative project that will identify the best ways of adapting to the long term threats of coastal climate change.

As part of the Coastal Communities 2150 (CC2150) project, the Environment Agency is calling for community representatives including residents, businesses and local authorities, to get involved in setting up a group to plan ahead and decide how best to tackle these issues.

The coast around South East England is changing. With this in mind, the European funded CC2150 project aims to help communities get better prepared for the future effects of rising sea levels, increased flood risk and sinking land levels. (more…)

With new online maps communities along the South Downs coast between Beachy Head and Selsey Bill can see how coastal erosion could affect their coastline in future.

Two pilot maps, for the South Downs and Northumberland, were published today by the Environment Agency. The maps were developed in conjunction with local councils and provide information for the public on how coastal erosion could affect where they live for the next 20 years. The maps also show how the coast is being managed and any defences that are in place.

Although few households are at risk from coastal erosion, its consequences can be serious. Better information on coastal erosion will help coastal communities to make more informed decisions about development and adapting to a changing coastline. (more…)

In a statement to Parliament, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon George Osborne MP, opening the Debate on Resolutions for the Sovereign Grant Bill said:

And we will shortly be setting out proposals, unconnected to this legislation, to make sure coastal communities can benefit from the development of the Crown Estate marine activities.

From a press release on the DEFRA website:

More flood and coastal erosion defence projects across England will receive government money each year under a new funding system announced today.

The new system provides money based on the benefits each project delivers to homes, businesses, agricultural land and infrastructure. Many schemes will still receive full Government funding, whilst others will qualify for a contribution to the final cost.  In many cases this government contribution will be worth 80 to 90 per cent of the full scheme cost.

This will replace the current model where schemes applying for money are typically either funded in full by Government or not at all. (more…)

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mrs Caroline Spelman MP) annonced in a written statement that she was laying before Parliament a first “National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England” and statutory guidance on “Co-operation and requesting information in flood and coastal erosion risk management”. Both documents are being presented in accordance with section 7 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and stem from Sir Michael Pitt’s review of the widespread flooding in 2007, and are due to be be issued on 18 July unless either House resolves that they should not be issued. (more…)

Residents who live in 12 properties on Cliff Road say their properties are threatened because of cliff erosion. They have submitted a planning application for a protection scheme to East Devon District Council.

The residents have funded the £10,000 application themselves which is for a 240-metre long, 4.5-metre high rock revetment at the base of the cliffs near Pennington Point at the mouth of the River Sid.

The scheme could cost around £900,000 of public money.

Residents say their homes could fall over the cliff face within 15 years if action is not taken soon. (more…)

A report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation investigates how disadvantaged coastal communities are vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Coastal areas of the UK may be severely affected by climate change in the future. Some are already experiencing extreme storms or floods and the effects of sea level rise and coastal erosion. Climate change will pose risks and challenges for people, coastal economies and local industry. It may also affect access to, and quality of, basic goods and services. (more…)

DISAPPOINTMENT has been expressed over a report on plans to manage the coastline between Seaford and Newhaven after the scheme was deemed a ‘low priority’.

The failure to mention the tourism potential and amenity value of Seaford beach was also of concern to town councillors who discussed the document by the Environment Agency (EA).

The Agency recently reviewed a proposal which sets out how flood and erosion will be managed for the next 100 years on the River Ouse – from the A27 road bridge to Newhaven, and the coastline between Newhaven and Seaford. (more…)