climate change adaptation in flintshire

Climate Change Adaptation work in Flintshire

Our Story so far

Erica Mackie Policy Advisor

What this presentation covers

» Background » What we tested» Lessons learnt» What we found» Where are we now» Next steps » Some of the challenges ahead

Climate Change Adaptation in Flintshire

Aim – Climate Adaptation Planning and Resilience

» Pilot project as part of WLGA Sustainable Development framework

» Asked - What does a changing climate mean for services and communities of Flintshire?

» What needs to change to adapt now and for the future?


What we tested» Used existing tools e.g. Local Climate Impact Profiles

(LCLIP) and Business Area Climate Impact Tools (BACLIAT)

What we envisaged» Enhanced strategic planning and service delivery by

mapping likely impacts and consequences


What we tested» The tools LCLIP and BACLIAT» How to consider community risk» Consequences and spatial impact and systemic risk» The reality of community well being – ‘game

changers’, ‘cross cutting’, it has more than one home» Explored evidence base and organisational

readiness» Understanding and capacity for collaborative

approaches to adaptation


What we found

» No single organisation can prepare adaptation plans on their own.

» The LCLIP provided a sound evidence base

» The BACLIAT – not as useful as it did not address ‘knitting together’ the strategic canopy. Finger pointing! Lack of understanding with mitigation/business continuity.


Key Lessons learnt - Adaptation is still difficult territory because it challenges (still)» Status quo – business as usual

» Professional territories Carefully laid plans that organisations and officials are attached to.

» Difference between mitigation, business continuity and adaptation


Where are we now?» Adaptation Planning is part of Single Integrated Plan –

Priority 4 : Carbon Reduction and Adaptation Planning» 5 Strategic Shared Risks have been identified

» Infrastructure» Natural Resource Systems» The Economy» Our Communities» Our Systems

Climate Change Adaptation in FlintshireWhat these risks mean

» Integrating policy/strategies to support adaptation planning.» Improving the resilience of existing development and infrastructure

to the impacts of a changing climate.» Promoting new development and infrastructure to be designed,

located and constructed for a climate it will need to tolerate over its lifespan.

» Reducing social inequality including health» Promoting adaptation of the natural environment.» Assisting public sector and institutions to integrate climate change

planning in their business planning cycles » To prepare business, and town and community councils for a

changing climate.


» Working on two risks – Critical Infrastructure

» Infrastructure because all organisations of the LSB rely on it and

» Assets because we all have them.


» Have 2 fora for these risks that go beyond the LSB partners e.g. utilities, water etc

» These fora explored» What we needed to know in order to provide an

adaptation solution» Did we have evidence?» Did we have sufficient understanding?» How could we go forward?» Would we be able to ‘cost’ solutions?

Climate Change Adaptation in Flintshire» Next Steps» Single Integrated Plan to be validated at next LSB meeting

(April 2014)» Going forward - over the period of the plan

» Continue collaborative working is essential as no single organisation can implement adaptation planning without it having an effect on other organisations.

» Retain cooperation and commitment of partners is fundamental to understanding the holistic financial implications of extreme weather events.

» On a rolling programme explore the vulnerability of the remaining risks.

» Continue to ensure that the risk of climate change is managed. » Monitor progress against Infrastructure and Assets» Start to explore reporting through systems of partners.


Supporting this by» Realising we must consider probability, consequence

and vulnerably » Considering frequency and intensity» Have developed a prioritising matrix to ensure holistic

approach to adaptation» Must ensure not to recommend Mal Adaptation!» Have a plan………………….. An overview and some

operational actions to start the planning process» Realising this could make difficult recommendations

Climate Change Adaptation in Flintshire» Challenges and uncertainties still to face

» National Direction – to enable us to make difficult recommendations and to spend well! » Conflict of shoreline management plan – hold the line» Rail network intentions» Local Resilience Forum including adaptation» Mergers of Local Councils» Calculating cost and benefit – across organisations» Pacify the doubters» Provide ‘no fear’ messages


» The story hasn’t got to the final chapter yet….. So we don’t know if we have a happy ending!

» Thank you

» Any questions?