Climate change adaptation vital to survival of our communities

Published by Ross Macmillan for TCPA in Environment and also in Communities, Education, Local Government

In the same week as UK Government has launched its Natural Environment White Paper, ‘The natural choice: securing the value of nature’ the pan- European GRaBS (Green and Blue Space Adaptation in Urban Areas and Eco-towns) project is holding its final conference today with over 150 delegates from across Europe. Lord Henley, Minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, opened the conference today saying the GRaBS project had shown real leadership. The project, led by the TCPA (Town and Country Planning Association),  highlights the growing threat of climate change and the vital need for communities to take action to adapt to rising temperatures and the increased frequency of severe weather

Speaking ahead of the conference, Diane Smith, European and Corporate Affairs Manager at the TCPA said:

“It is vital that we grasp the impact of extreme weather on our towns and cities and the social and economic devastation that this can cause. It is fantastic to see that the Government has put green and blue infrastructure at the heart of tackling climate change in its Natural Environment White Paper.  What we need now is a clear commitment from government to prioritise climate change adaptation” 

“The GRaBS final conference marks an important mile stone in reducing the long-term vulnerability of communities in urban areas to the environmental, social and economic damage related to a changing climate. This is an exciting opportunity to bring together the practical tools and techniques that have been developed over the last three years and will help take forward the UK Government’s ambitions for the natural environment.”

Kate Henderson, TCPA Chief Executive said:

“Several years ago the word ‘adaptation’ was little known; today it is increasingly recognised as central to the future resilience of our communities as well as improving peoples’ quality of life and biodiversity. The UK Government’s Natural Environment White Paper rightly recognises the fundamental role that green infrastructure has to play in adapting to climate change, but also the multiple benefits it offers and the  importance of connecting people, planning and the natural world. Adapting to climate change is as much about securing the welfare of our communities as it is about tackling climate change. Integral to the GRaBS project has been showing how local communities can be involved in shaping their adaptation strategies.”

Professor John Handley OBE, University of Manchester said:

“Extreme weather events such as the floods and droughts recently experienced in the UK are set to increase. Local governments have a responsibility to protect their people, property, and resources. With the economies, livelihoods, safety and character of their communities at stake, places must harness their visionary leadership and policy tools to increase resilience as they prepare for the future. This will be crucial in the UK as the Government devolves power to the local level, with councils and communities at the forefront of adapting to climate change and delivering positive solutions.”

The GRaBS conference will provide the opportunity for partners to share first hand their outputs and learning from the project. Including:

• Raised awareness and increased expertise of key bodies responsible for spatial planning and development as to how green and blue infrastructure can help urban areas adapt to projected climate scenarios;
• The integration of climate change adaptation into local and regional planning and development, and increased cooperation amongst key players, via the development of good practice Adaptation Action Plans;
• The development of an innovative, cost effective and user-friendly Risk and Vulnerabilities Assessment Tool, to aid strategic planning of climate change adaptation responses; and
• Improved stakeholder and community involvement in planning, delivering and managing green and blue infrastructure in new and existing urban development.