Adaptation Strategy
This is the post consultation Climate Adaptation Strategy of the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Impacts Group – it details the risks the region might face in future as climate change increasingly affects the UK and identifies how we can adapt to these changes.
Funding
The contract was commissioned by Devon County Council on behalf of the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (DCIoS) Climate Impacts Group, with funding provided by the Environment Agency.
The RSK Project Team
This report was prepared by RSK (including subsidiaries ADAS and WRc). The work was led by Charles Ffoulkes (Director for Climate Adaptation and Resilience at ADAS), with input from Andrew McArthur (Director for Adaptation and Asset Management at WRc), Brian Anderson (Senior Consultant at WRc), Hannah Oliver (Graduate Climate and Sustainability Consultant at ADAS), Danielle King (Head of Climate and Decarbonisation at RSK), and Weiting Liu (Graduate Climate Consultant at RSK).
Climate Impacts Group
Thanks are provided to Emily Reed (Climate Emergency Project Manager at Devon County Council) and members of the Climate Impacts Group for their contributions throughout the development of this strategy, with representation provided by the Met Office, University of Exeter, National Health Service (NHS) Devon, Devon County Council, Environment Agency, South West Water, Devon and Cornwall Police, Public Health Devon, Devon Local Nature Partnership, DCIoS Local Resilience Forum, Cornwall Council, Council of the Isles of Scilly, Ministry of Housing, Department for Communities and Local Government, and Westcountry Rivers Trust.
Appendix 1 – Glossary of terms
Key terms used in the report, along with their definition, are outlined below:
| Adaptation | Actions to become more resilient to the changing climate by anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking appropriate action to reducing the risk from its impacts (e.g. sea level rise, heatwaves, flooding, drought etc.). |
| Adaptive Capacity | The ability of systems, institutions, humans, and other organisms to adjust to potential damage, to take advantage of opportunities, or to respond to consequences (International Organisation for Standardisation, 2019a). |
| Adaptation Pathway | A series of adaptation choices involving trade-offs between short-term and long-term goals and values. These are processes of deliberation to identify solutions that are meaningful to people in the context of their daily lives and to avoid potential maladaptation (IPCC, 2022). |
| Cascading impacts | Where an incidence of extreme weather/climate hazard generates a sequence of secondary events in natural and human systems that result in physical, natural, social, or economic disruption, whereby the resulting impact is significantly larger than the initial impact (IPCC, 2019). |
| Climate | The statistical description of weather in terms of the mean and variability of relevant quantities over a period of time ranging from months to thousands or millions of years. |
| Climate Change | The change in climate that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer. Climate change might be due to natural processes, internal to the climate system, or external forcings such as modulations of the solar cycles, volcanic eruptions, and persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use. |
| Climate projection | The simulated response of the climate system to a scenario of future emission or concentration of greenhouse gases and aerosols, generally derived using climate models (International Organisation for Standardisation, 2019b). |
| Exposure | The presence of people, livelihoods, species or ecosystems, environmental functions, services, resources, infrastructure, or economic, social, or cultural assets in places and settings that could be affected. Exposure can change over time, for example, because of land use change. |
| Flood risk reduction | Flood risk reduction, also known as flood risk mitigation, focuses on mitigating or reducing the risk of flood risk; a combination of the probability (likelihood or chance) of an event happening and the consequences (impact) if it occurred (Local Government Association, n.d.). |
| Hazard | The potential source of harm, in terms of loss of life, injury or other health impacts, as well as damage and loss to property, infrastructure, livelihoods, service provision, ecosystems and environmental resources. Hazard comprises slow-onset developments as well as rapidly developing climatic extremes or increased variability. |
| Impact | In the context of climate change, the effect on natural and human systems of extreme weather and climate events (International Organisation for Standardisation, 2019a). |
| Likelihood | The chance of a specific outcome occurring, where this might be estimated probabilistically. |
| Magnitude | The large size or importance of something. Magnitude considers factors such as severity, size, or extent of an impact. The magnitude of a potential climate change impact is not the same as its significance. If thresholds are defined, the magnitude of a change can indicate its significance (International Organisation for Standardisation, 2019b). |
| Mitigation | Actions to reduce the regions’ contribution to climate change (i.e. reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and offset remaining emissions through sequestration and carbon storage. |
| Risk | The effect of uncertainty. An effect is a deviation from the expected. It can be positive, negative or both, and can arise as a result a response, or failure to respond, to an opportunity or to a threat related to objectives. Uncertainty is the state, even partial, of deficiency of information related to, understanding or knowledge of, an event, its consequence, or likelihood. |
| Trigger Point | Trigger points mark the necessary lead time for action before reaching a turning point. |
| Vulnerability | The propensity or predisposition to be adversely affected. Vulnerability encompasses a variety of concepts and elements including sensitivity or susceptibility to harm and lack of capacity to cope and adapt. |
Appendix 2 – Literature reviewed to inform the risk assessment
Environment Agency (2021) Climate Impacts Group: Flooding and Coastal Erosion
The Climate Impacts Group: Flooding and Coastal Erosion is areport prepared by the Environment Agency. It draws attention to that fact that Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (DCIoS) are particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change due to their coastal locations and urban settings. In the most recent climate projections, DCIoS are projected to see wetter winters and drier summers. Intense rainfall will most likely heighten flood risks as the region has had a long history of flash flooding due to overloaded urban drainage and sewerage systems; sea level rise and storm intensity increases will also bring about an increase in coastal flooding and erosion detrimental to the many communities located in deep and steeply sided valleys, flat and low-lying areas of reclaimed land, and the rear of exposed beaches. In urban environments like that of DCIoS, flood risk can be made worse by joint probability events and a lack of collaborative engagements between the affected stakeholders.
Increase in coastal flooding and erosion due to climate change will have economic, health, infrastructural, agricultural and carbon impacts. The National Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy is working towards adopting a more rounded approach that enhances resilience to flooding and adaptations away from locations where the risks are too high or unresolvable. The aim of the strategy is to create “a nation ready for, and resilient to, flooding and coastal change – today, tomorrow and to the year 2100”. To do so, the Risk Management Authorities have identified the importance of place making, nature-based solutions, habitat enhancement and restoration, soil protection, learning from past experiences, collaborative efforts between different stakeholders, improved flood warning systems, timely reinstatement of infrastructural systems and networks, and the interdependency of infrastructural systems.
Headline impacts: tidal flooding, pluvial flooding, coastal erosion, critical transport and infrastructural damage, sea level rise.
Devon Local Nature Partnership (2021) Climate Change and Devon’s Natural Environment: Evidence Review
The Climate Change and Devon’s Natural Environment: Evidence Review, brought together by the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group, is a report that calls attention to the climate and ecological emergency, and serves to (1) outline key climate change risks and opportunities for Devon’s natural environment; (2) identify headline actions required to address the risks through mitigation and adaptation, so as to contribute to achieving net zero emission by 2050; and (3) outline opportunities that some of these actions also present to contribute to climate mitigation. The report draws attention to six environmental habitats and themes (i.e. terrestrial, marine and freshwater habitats and species, air quality, soil and landscapes), and addresses how climate change can impact these six natural environmental themes, the actions needed to mitigate, adapt and stay resilient, and the opportunities that may arise when the suggested actions to be taken were observed. Devon is home a variety of unique habitats and landscapes and is a stronghold for many rare flora and fauna. Climate change will exacerbate biodiversity and habitat loss in the region and threaten food security. By focusing on the impacts of climate change on Devon’s natural environment and environmental aspects, the report highlights the potential for climate co-benefits, in the hopes the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group can engage with Devon’s residents, businesses and visitors to develop and implement a plan to reduce Devon’s carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050 at the latest.
Headline impacts: biodiversity and habitat loss, species extinction, species behavioural changes, diseases transmission, pollutant deposition.
Climate Impacts Group (2021) Climate Change Impact Projections During the 21st Century
The Climate Change Impact Projections During the 21st Century prepared by the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (DCIoS) Climate Impacts Group, serves to provide a general overview of how the climate is changing, how it is projected to change, and the effects climate change will have for Southwest England. It draws attention to the fact that human influence has been the primary cause of warming in the 20th and 21st century, and that anthropogenic rise in temperature has been much more rapid as compared to rises due to natural climate cycles. The 21st century so far has been warmer than the previous three centuries, with the UK projected to see warmer and wetter winters and hotter and drier summers. Intensive and torrential downpour are likely in the future, whereas the number and severity of snow events will decline. Sea levels around the UK are projected to keep rising beyond the 2100 even if conscientious efforts are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions now.
Climate impact projections in the DCIoS region include major tidal, coastal and fluvial flooding, prolonged low temperatures, heavy snow and/or ice, localised flooding, severe storms and gales, heat wave, drought, forest, wood or moorland fire, tremors and landslides, infrastructural failure, epidemic, pandemic or influenza, and environmental pollution. To avoid significant increases in the average surface temperature, efforts must be taken to cut greenhouse gas emissions, switch to renewable energy sources, use land sustainably, and make use of techniques to remove carbon dioxide from the air.
Headline impacts: sea level rise, tidal and pluvial flooding, infrastructural damages, heatwaves, torrential rain.
Public Health Devon County Council (2020) Health Impacts of Climate Change
The Health Impacts of Climate Change is a report prepared by the Public Health Devon County Council. It expounds on the interdependent relationship between the environment and health and highlights how mitigating damaging human activities and conserving the natural systems will have benefits to human health. As climate change has become the “greatest threat to global health of the 21st century”, this report considers the health impacts of climate change within six identified priorities, namely, (1) extreme weather events and communities; (2) air; (3) water; (4) food; (5) disease; and (6) mental health. The report also seeks to address the six identified priorities with reference to the priority risks and opportunities identified in UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2017.
Headline impacts: loss of lives, infrastructural damages, negative impacts upon mental health, pollution and contamination, disease transmission.
Isles of Scilly (2023) Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan (unpublished)
The Council for the Isles of Scilly Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan (CCAAP), produced by RSK, provides the results of a climate change risk assessment of the islands using the probabilistic and local projection data supplied by the United Kingdom Climate Projections (UKCP18). Applying this data to the methodology outlined in ISO14091, and with reference to the sectoral domains used by the UK CCRA, a detailed assessment was carried out, from which a variety of physical, social and institutional measures were identified, and sequenced, with the help of local stakeholders including communities, businesses and local government. Adaptation pathways were developed which summarise key routes and threshold points for a range of adaptation options.
Cornwall Council (2022) Cornwall Climate Risk Assessment
The Cornwall Climate Risk Assessment, commissioned by the Cornwall Council and prepared by Cornwall-based consultancy Climate Change Risk Management, is a report detailing how the South West England county will be affected by the imminent threats of climate change. Acknowledging that the Cornwall’s atmosphere has been warming since the 19th century and the sea level around the coast has been increasing for at least the past 100 years, the report sets out to assess trends and projections on Cornwall’s climate, outline likely impacts due to the climate change, identify gaps in current knowledge, inform future governance functions and decision making, and inform the Cornwall communities the need to adapt to the changing climate. Ultimately, the report underlines the need to act now to reduce emissions and tackle climate risks.
Appendix 3 – Climate change risk assessment scores
Natural environment (including agriculture, forestry, and fisheries)
Table 10. Climate change risk assessment for the natural environment sector, indicating the risk (magnitude x likelihood) score for the 2050s under a 4°C warming scenario, and the urgency score for action in the next five years. Magnitude scores are as follows: very high (5), high (4), medium (3), low (2) and very low (1). Likelihood scores correspond to the risk being very likely (5), likely (4), possible (3), unlikely (2) and very unlikely (1).
| CIG Risk ID | Risk/impact description / climate variables | Magnitude | Likelihood | Risk score | Urgency score |
| 01 | Risks to terrestrial species and habitats from changing climatic conditions and extreme events, including temperature change, water scarcity, wildfire, flooding, wind, and altered hydrology (including water scarcity, flooding, and saline intrusion). | 5 | 5 | Severe | More action needed |
| 02 | Risks to terrestrial species and habitats from pests, pathogens, and invasive species. | 4 | 4 | Major | More action needed |
| 03 | Opportunities from new species colonisations in terrestrial habitats. | 4 | 4 | Major | More action needed |
| 04 | Risk to soils from changing climatic conditions, including seasonal aridity and wetness. | 5 | 5 | Severe | More action needed |
| 05 | Risks and opportunities for natural carbon stores (peatlands, forestry, marine etc.), carbon sequestration and GHG emissions from changing climatic conditions, including temperature change and water scarcity. | 5 | 4 | Severe | More action needed |
| 06 | Risks and opportunities to agricultural productivity from extreme events and changing climatic conditions (including temperature change, water scarcity, wildfire, flooding, coastal erosion, wind and saline intrusion, carbon fertilisation). | 4 | 4 | Major | More action needed |
| 07 | Risks and opportunities to forestry productivity from extreme events and changing climatic conditions (including temperature change, water scarcity, wildfire, flooding, coastal erosion, wind, and saline intrusion). | 3 | 3 | Moderate | More action needed |
| 08 | Risks to agri-food (agriculture and horticulture) from pests, pathogens, and invasive species. | 4 | 2 | Moderate | More action needed |
| 09 | Risks to forestry from pests, pathogens, and invasive species. | 4 | 3 | Major | More action needed |
| 10 | Opportunities for agricultural and forestry productivity from new/alternative species becoming suitable. | 4 | 3 | Major | More action needed |
| 11 | Risks to aquifers from changing climatic conditions, sea level rise, water scarcity, water pollution, saltwater intrusion etc. | 3 | 4 | Major | Sustain current action |
| 12 | Risks to freshwater species and habitats from changing climatic conditions and extreme events, including higher water temperatures, flooding, water scarcity and phenological shifts. Including saline intrusion of wetlands, estuary habitats etc. | 5 | 5 | Severe | More action needed |
| 13 | Risks to freshwater species and habitats from pests, pathogens, and invasive species. | 4 | 4 | Major | More action needed |
| 14 | Opportunities to freshwater species and habitats from new species colonisations. | 1 | 1 | Negligible | Sustain current action |
| 15 | Risks to marine species, habitats and fisheries from changing climatic conditions, including ocean acidification and higher water temperatures. | 5 | 4 | Severe | More action needed |
| 16 | Opportunities to marine species, habitats and fisheries from changing climatic conditions. | 4 | 3 | Major | Further investigation |
| 17 | Risks to marine and coastal species and habitats from pests, pathogens, and invasive species. | 4 | 4 | Major | More action needed |
| 18 | Risks and opportunities to coastal species and habitats due to sea level rise, coastal flooding, erosion, and climate factors. | 5 | 4 | Severe | More action needed |
| 19 | Risks and opportunities from climate change to the way people experience, value and enjoy different. | 4 | 3 | Major | Further investigation |
Infrastructure
Table 11. Climate change risk assessment for the infrastructure sector, indicating the risk (magnitude x likelihood) score for the 2050s under a 4°C warming scenario, and the urgency score for action in the next five years. Magnitude scores are as follows: very high (5), high (4), medium (3), low (2) and very low (1). Likelihood scores correspond to the risk being very likely (5), likely (4), possible (3), unlikely (2) and very unlikely (1).
| CIG Risk ID | Risk/impact description / climate variables | Magnitude | Likelihood | Risk score | Urgency score |
| 20 | Risks to infrastructure networks (water, energy, transport, digital) from cascading failures (e.g. access to broadband being disrupted due to power outages). | 5 | 4 | Severe | Further investigation |
| 21 | Risks to infrastructure assets and services from river, surface water and groundwater flooding (including chronic changes), as well as associated landslips and/or soil movement. | 5 | 4 | Severe | More action needed |
| 22 | Risks to infrastructure services from coastal flooding and erosion. | 5 | 4 | Severe | Further investigation |
| 23 | Risks to bridges and pipelines from flooding (i.e. river, surface water and groundwater flooding) and erosion. | 4 | 3 | Major | Further investigation |
| 24 | Risks to infrastructure networks (incl. transport, energy etc.) from slope and embankment failure (e.g. landslips). | 3 | 3 | Moderate | Further investigation |
| 25 | Risks to hydroelectric generation from low or high river flows. | 2 | 2 | Moderate | Watching brief |
| 26 | Risks to below (subterranean) and above (surface) ground infrastructure from subsidence (sinking of the ground). | 3 | 3 | Moderate | Sustain current action |
| 27 | Risks to public water supplies from reduced water availability (and shifting supply and demand balances). | 4 | 4 | Major | More action needed |
| 28 | Risks to energy generation from reduced water availability (i.e. freshwater use in energy generation process). | 3 | 3 | Moderate | Watching brief |
| 29 | Risks to energy from high and low temperatures, high winds, lightning, humidity. | 4 | 4 | Major | Further investigation |
| 30 | Risks to nearshore infrastructure (e.g. harbours and breakwaters) from storms and high waves and/or offshore infrastructure (where applicable). | 5 | 4 | Severe | More action needed |
| 31 | Risks to transport from high and low temperatures (incl. ice and snow), high winds, lightning, humidity. | 4 | 4 | Major | More action needed |
| 32 | Risk of disruption to transport services (e.g. planes, helicopters etc.) from fog (exacerbated by changes in sea surface temperature, humidity, winds etc.). | 1 | 4 | Moderate | Sustain current action |
| 33 | Risks to digital from high and low temperatures, high winds, lightning. | 3 | 3 | Moderate | Further investigation |
| 64 | Risks to infrastructure networks from high winds and intense rainfall. | 3 | 3 | Moderate | Further investigation |
Health and the built environment
Table 12. Climate change risk assessment for the health and built environment sector, indicating the risk (magnitude x likelihood) score for the 2050s under a 4°C warming scenario, and the urgency score for action in the next five years. Magnitude scores are as follows: very high (5), high (4), medium (3), low (2) and very low (1). Likelihood scores correspond to the risk being very likely (5), likely (4), possible (3), unlikely (2) and very unlikely (1).
| CIG Risk ID | Risk/impact description / climate variables | Magnitude | Likelihood | Risk score | Urgency score |
| 34 | Risks to health and wellbeing from high temperatures. | 5 | 4 | Severe | More action needed |
| 35 | Risks to mental health and wellbeing from extreme weather events and/or the climate emergency. | 4 | 4 | Major | More action needed |
| 36 | Opportunities for health and wellbeing from higher temperatures. | 1 | 2 | Minor | Further investigation |
| 37 | Risks to people, communities and buildings from river, surface water and groundwater flooding. | 5 | 4 | Severe | More action needed |
| 38 | Risks to people, communities and buildings from sea level rise and coastal erosion. | 5 | 5 | Severe | More action needed |
| 39 | Risks and opportunities from summer and winter household energy demand (a) Opportunity – winter (b) Risk – summer. | 4 | 3 | Major | More action needed |
| 40 | Risks to health and wellbeing from changes in air quality, both indoor and out. | 3 | 2 | Moderate | Further investigation |
| 63 | Risks to people, communities and buildings from wildfires. | 3 | 3 | Moderate | Further investigation |
| 41 | Risks to health from transmissible diseases (including water-borne, vector-borne, air-borne, bacterial, infectious diseases etc, as well as novel viral and genetic changes). | 4 | 4 | Major | More action needed |
| 42 | Risks to food safety and food security in the DCIoS region. | 5 | 4 | Severe | Further investigation |
| 43 | Risks to health from water quality (e.g. private drinking water or bathing water), including contamination of drinking water through increased runoff and flooding events that overwhelm current water treatment approaches. | 4 | 3 | Major | Further investigation |
| 44 | Risks to health from private water supply (e.g. potential interruptions in household water supply from wells or boreholes). [Excludes public drinking water and wastewater services from South West Water]. | 4 | 3 | Major | Further investigation |
| 45 | Risks to cultural heritage and assets in the DCIoS region. | 4 | 4 | Major | Further investigation |
| 46 | Risks to health and social care delivery. | 4 | 4 | Major | More action needed |
| 47 | Risks to education services. | 4 | 4 | Major | More action needed |
| 48 | Risks to prison services. | 4 | 4 | Major | More action needed |
Business and industry
Table 13. Climate change risk assessment for the business and industry sector, indicating the risk (magnitude x likelihood) score for the 2050s under a 4°C warming scenario, and the urgency score for action in the next five years. Magnitude scores are as follows: very high (5), high (4), medium (3), low (2) and very low (1). Likelihood scores correspond to the risk being very likely (5), likely (4), possible (3), unlikely (2) and very unlikely (1).
| CIG Risk ID | Risk/impact description / climate variables | Magnitude | Likelihood | Risk score | Urgency score |
| 49 | Risks to business sites from flooding and flash flooding (fluvial, pluvial and groundwater). | 5 | 4 | Severe | More action needed |
| 50 | Risks to business locations and infrastructure from coastal change from erosion, sea level rise, flooding and extreme weather events. | 5 | 5 | Severe | More action needed |
| 51 | Risks to businesses from water scarcity. | 4 | 4 | Major | Further investigation |
| 52 | Risks and opportunities to finance, investment and insurance including access to capital for businesses. | 4 | 4 | Major | Further investigation |
| 53 | Risks to business from reduced employee productivity due to infrastructure disruption and higher temperatures in working environments. | 2 | 2 | Moderate | Further investigation |
| 54 | Risks to business from disruption to supply chains and distribution networks from extreme weather events. | 4 | 3 | Major | More action needed |
| 55 | Opportunities for business (i.e. tourism) from changes in demand for goods and services, change in focus of tourism from international to local. | 3 | 3 | Moderate | Further investigation |
Cross-cutting (including international dimensions)
Table 14. Climate change risk assessment for cross-cutting and international dimensions, indicating the risk (magnitude x likelihood) score for the 2050s under a 4°C warming scenario, and the urgency score for action in the next five years. Magnitude scores are as follows: very high (5), high (4), medium (3), low (2) and very low (1). Likelihood scores correspond to the risk being very likely (5), likely (4), possible (3), unlikely (2) and very unlikely (1).
| CIG Risk ID | Risk/impact description / climate variables | Magnitude | Likelihood | Risk score | Urgency score |
| 56 | Risks to regional food availability, safety, and quality from climate change overseas. | 4 | 3 | Major | More action needed |
| 57 | Opportunities for UK food availability and exports from climate impacts overseas. | 3 | 2 | Moderate | Watching brief |
| 58 | Risks and opportunities to the DCIoS region from climate-related international/regional human mobility. | 3 | 3 | Moderate | Further investigation |
| 59 | Risks to the DCIoS region from civil disorder and conflict resulting from climate change (e.g. battle for water resources). | 2 | 3 | Moderate | Further investigation |
| 60 | Risks to law (e.g. environmental crime, domestic violence) and governance in the DCIoS region from climate change. | 3 | 4 | Major | More action needed |
| 61 | Risk to public health from climate change overseas (e.g. zoonotic diseases; disease transmitted between animals and people). | 5 | 4 | Severe | More action needed |
| 62 | Risk multiplication from the interactions and cascades of named risks across systems and geographies (i.e. system risk or compound events). | 4 | 5 | Severe | Further investigation |
Appendix 4 – Full list of actions arising from the workshops
Natural environment (including agriculture, forestry, and fisheries)
Table 15. Strategic adaptation options and enablers to address climate hazards in the natural environment and agriculture sector.
| # | Actions | CIG risks addressed |
| NEA 1 | Develop a collaborative regional water strategy to manage water availability and safe treatment and disposal of waste water, including aquifer recharge, control over-extraction, increase the use of rainwater harvesting, reduce effluent discharge etc | 1, 5, 6, 11, 12 |
| NEA 2 | Increased protection and expansion of blue carbon habitats and Marine Special Protected Areas (Blue belt) > 30% – this will reduce stress to allow habitats to adapt. | 5, 15, 18 |
| NEA 3 | Develop a regional Invasive Species Management Plan to ensure pests, pathogens and diseases are monitored and action plans and prevention measures are developed. | 2, 3, 9, 13, 17 |
| NEA 4 | Set out a regional strategy to protect, restore and enhance terrestrial carbon stores from land use change and increase the resilience where possible (e.g. peatland restoration, woodland management, soils). | 5 |
| NEA 5 | Develop long-term green space and Local Nature Recovery strategies to demonstrate what type of habitat will be supported in the future (e.g. intertidal zones, the benefits of different saltwater/freshwater marsh etc.) and opportunities for supporting human health. | 1, 15, 16 |
| NEA 6 | Tree planting (in appropriate places) to support biodiversity net gain, reduce river water temperatures, increase flood risk management, provision of shade for crops and livestock, increase sequestration, support human well-being etc. | 1, 6, 12 |
| NEB 1 | Promote and Improve soil management techniques (Min-till cultivation, cover crops, ley-arable rotations) to protect soil structure / nutrient levels and increase resilience to adverse weather / aridity impacts. Consider adoption of a systems thinking approach such as the Land Use Framework. | 4 |
| NEB 2 | Choose new crop varieties/ different breeds that are: more heat tolerant, drought resistant, less susceptible to pests and disease, reduce run-off and soil erosion. | 4, 11 |
| NEB 3 | Provision of shade to reduce heat stress (e.g. silvopasture to shade livestock, shade cloths for horticulture, trees to shade crops). | 6 |
| NEB 4 | Farmers to engage with the Resilient Farming Futures (RFF) programme; undertake a farm resilience plan to identify climate impacts and opportunities; and assess suitable on-farm adaptation options to increase resilience. | 4, 6, 10 |
| NEB 5 | Adapt agricultural land use through Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) and Biodiversity Net Gain funding (e.g. buffer strips, conservation areas etc.). | 1, 4, 12, 18 |
| NEB 6 | Develop alternative water supplies (e.g. boreholes) and use of rainwater harvesting and storage (ponds/reservoirs) on farm. Put in ponds, swales and wetlands. | 4, 11 |
| NEC 1 | Provision of capacity building support and advice to community groups from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for taking action to support nature enhancement. | 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18 |
| NEC 2 | Facilitate landowners connecting with local nature groups to understand the benefits around alternative land use to support biodiversity and the natural environment and human health. | 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18 |
| NEX 1 | LA’s to promote the benefits of improved garden habitat (to increase biodiversity) and reduce non-permeable surfaces (to increase infiltration and reduce surface water flood risk). | 1, 12 |
| NEX 2 | Promote soil health, reduce runoff, surface water flooding and adopt soil conservation techniques (e.g. cover crops, wider crop rotations, contour ploughing to reduce soil erosion); preventing landslips and land movement, and reduce compacted soils and improve aeration of soils to increase rate of infiltration and absorption. To address soil wetness and aridity. | 4 |
| NEX 3 | Enhance regional habitat condition and connectivity to increase species resilience and biodiversity (e.g. wildlife corridors, rewilding, river restoration etc.). | 1, 4, 15, 16 |
| NEX 4 | Communities to promote local wildlife and habitat enhancement (e.g. through local charity groups, School Nature Grants Programme, volunteering at Wildlife Trusts). | 1, 4, 15, 16 |
| NEX 5 | Land owners connecting with local nature groups to understand the benefits around alternative land use to support biodiversity and the natural environment (e.g. such as turning less productive areas into woodland, wildlife meadows, hedgerows, creation of wetlands etc.). | 1, 4, 15, 16 |
| NEX 6 | Prioritising nature-based solutions in catchment planning to reduce river flood risk and slow river flows specifically wetland enhancement / re naturalisation and and river restoration. | 1, 6, 12 |
| NEX 7 | Fire services to collaborate with land owners to access water storage in areas at risk of wildfires (e.g. moorlands). | 1, 6 |
| NEX 8 | Livestock housing redesign (e.g. improved insulation, ventilation, heating/cooling requirements). | 6 |
| NEX 9 | Increase water use efficiency (e.g. drip irrigation). | 4, 6 |
| NEX 10 | Improve drainage systems (in the right place and done properly), insert buffer strips, hedgerows etc. | 1, 2, 4, 6 |
| NEX 11 | Increase pest and disease surveillance and change type and use of pesticide/herbicide/fungicide in response to changes in pest and disease prevalence. | 2, 9, 13 |
| NEX 12 | Altering grazing practices (e.g. for cows the key grazing periods are at dawn and dusk. Moving cows indoors mid morning till early evening would reduce the stresses and the lower milk yields caused by high temperatures). | 6 |
| NEX 13 | Fire services to increase the size or number of crews to tackle increased risk of wildfires. | 1, 6 |
Infrastructure
Table 16. Strategic adaptation options and enablers to address climate hazards in the infrastructure sector.
| # | Actions | CIG risks addressed |
| INFA 1 | Build on and develop resilience partnerships. Ensure their Command, Control and Co-Ordination arrangements for an emergency which involves the loss of both power and telecoms, and actively involve utilities companies in local planning where required to ensure linkage with regional and national developments. | 20, 31 |
| INFA 2 | Emergency Planning – Map voluntary and community sector assets and capabilities in their areas. Develop processes for their swift activation, deployment and coordination. Ensure distributed energy resources (DER), such as customer-premise microgrids (e.g. solar + storage systems), community microgrids, or mobile battery and generation systems can provide life-preserving power to community shelters and public health facilities during emergencies. | 20, 21, 30 |
| INFA 3 | Develop a working group with infrastructure industry associations and providers at regional level to improve interdependencies awareness within the infrastructure sector (Co-location of infrastructure – e.g. bridge crossings / roadways and impact of cascade failure). Engage with National Grid, Hydrologists and power system modelers to simulate and understand the impacts of compounded flooding, heat waves and droughts on the power generation in the region. | 21, 23 |
| INFB 1 | Develop joint strategies, research, and longer-term schemes with South West Water, Lead Local Flood Authority, and catchment partnerships to improve catchment management both for high flow areas at flood risk and protect low flow by reducing demand / drought impacts. | 20, 21, 27 |
| INFB 2 | Enable and promote climate resilience through procurement processes. Consider climate resilience of new assets and infrastructure when comparing competing bids, by accounting for costs over the asset lifetime under alternative climate scenarios. | 21, 22 |
| INFB 3 | Communicate behavioural change measures to reduce consumption of water and energy. | 27 |
| INFX 1 | Promote cross sector partnerships to develop industry-accepted climate risk assessment framework for the region. Use common formalised standards of resilience, such as the new ISO 14091 across infrastructure sectors to build system wide resilience. Collaborate with stakeholders including utilities, services, other transport modes on risk management planning to protect business continuity. | 20 |
| INFX 2 | Reassess the inspection schedules on bridges and highway assets (including Public Rights of Way). Reduce risk of cascading failures by inspecting critical assets more frequently than design manual for roads and bridges specifies. | 23 |
| INFX 3 | Due to increased risks of adverse weather events causing surface water (pluvial) flooding all businesses should consider a proactive rolling review of their key site / assets flood vulnerability not just at point of site selection or event. | 21, 22 |
| INFX 4 | Install Battery Energy Storage Systems BESS at transmission level / business level. | 20 |
| INFX 5 | Consider investing in a Power Bank or UPS to help ensure home / business communications available during a power cut. | 20 |
Health and the built environment
Table 17. Strategic adaptation options and enablers to address climate hazards in the health and built environment.
| # | Actions | CIG risks addressed |
| HBEA 1 | Working with relevant agencies and our communities, develop a climate change awareness campaign to inform stakeholders, including the public of the projected range of changes and their impacts alongside how we are adapting and what we can all do to respond. | 34, 35, 37, 38, 41, 45 |
| HBEA 2 | Public authorities to continue to provide timely & localised information on climate change impacts to enable appropriate adaptation planning by all. | 34, 37 ,43 |
| HBEA3 | Raise awareness with social care managers, commissioners, staff, and carers on preparing for response to adverse weather, including heatwaves. | 46 |
| HBEA4 | Public Health teams to engage with NHS partners, Health Protection Teams and LA environmental health departments to raise awareness of climate sensitive non-communicable disease (NCD) e.g. the links between climate change and increased cardiovascular disease and appropriate adaptation for vulnerable groups. This should include developing adaptations for activities such as exercise and active travel which may be impacted by climate change with consequences for non-communicable disease. | 34, 36, 40 |
| HBEB 1 | Local Authorities to provide advice and expanded monitoring for properties with private water supplies (quality and quantity). | 41, 43, 44 |
| HBEB 2 | Provide access to and guidance on benefits of rainwater harvesting systems (i.e. to capture excess rainfall for use in the garden) and grey water harvesting systems (i.e. collect and treat wastewater from showers, baths and wash basins). | 44 |
| HBEC 1 | Promote and provide staff with time to undertake volunteer work with local Non-Governmental Organisations and develop Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) | 35, 37 |
| HBEC 2 | Develop a strategy and guidance for the adaptation of heritage assets to climate impacts, including a “Managed Decline to Adaptive Release4” strategy to record historic buildings, sites, and landscapes as a part of managed coastal retreat due to sea level rise, erosion and storms. | 45 |
| HBEC 3 | Work with partners to develop the materials and training to support in the establishment and operation of local Community Resilience Groups (or similar existing groups) and the development of community adaptation plans. | 35, 37, 38 |
| HBED 1 | Provision of funding and guidance for properties to be retrofitted in line with New Building Regulations Part O to prevent buildings overheating and/or reduce heat loss in winter. | 34, 46, 47, 48 |
| HBEE 1 | Policy makers to start gathering evidence of where aspects of community / development / industry / utility etc will need to be relocated due to climate impacts and develop an evidence base that can inform planning activities (e.g. relocation of properties due to insurmountable flood risk). | 38, 46, 47, 48 |
| HBEE 2 | Local Planning Authorities to identify Coastal Change Management Areas (CCMAs) wherever rates of shoreline change are expected to be significant and implement appropriate regulations to manage development in these areas. | 38, 45 |
| HBEE 3 | Local Planning Authorities to ensure that their Local Plans utilise and build upon the findings and direction provided by strategic documents dealing with coastal change (e.g. Shoreline Management Plans, Coastal Change Management Area’s, Flood Risk Management Plans etc). | 38, 45 |
| HBEE 4 | Policymakers to engage with the public to ensure awareness and understanding of the predicted impacts of climate change around the coast generally, and on their local communities specifically – to co-produce knowledge and agree viable actions. | 35, 38, 45 |
| HBEE 5 | Policymakers to investigate (including learning from others) the legal, financial and practical etc means by which coastal communities facing significant adaptation challenges might be helped – so that realistic Adaptation Plans can be developed and delivered where needed. where needed. | 35, 38, 45 |
| HBEX 1 | Encourage installation of green roofs/walls on community buildings. | |
| HBEX 2 | Provide guidance on Flood Re-insurance cover. Flood Re Scheme offers cover to UK mainland households at the highest risk of flooding. | 35, 37, 38 |
| HBEX 3 | Communication of flood warning service by the Environment Agency for individuals to sign up to. | 35, 37, 38 |
| HBEX 4 | Develop and communicate guidance and funds for community contingency plans (e.g. to help remote communities manage risks from flooding, loss of critical power and water supplies). | 35, 37, 38 |
| HBEX 5 | LA’s or organisations or sponsors to increase resources (finances, kit etc.) available to cope with climate-related impacts. | 35, 37, 38, 46, 47, 48 |
| HBEX 6 | Beach alerts to expand programme of daily water quality forecasts and electronic beach signage (new app linked to discharges from sewage companies). | 43 |
| HBEX 7 | LA’s and EA to communicate the benefits and options for property flood resilience (e.g. flood gates and barriers). | 35, 37, 38, 46, 47, 48 |
| HBEX 8 | Communication of National (UK) Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS) by the Met Office for individuals/organisations to sign up to. This service warns for severe/extreme weather relating to: rain, snow, ice, wind, thunderstorm, lightning, extreme heat and fog. | 39, 34 |
| HBEX 9 | Policymakers to ensure that where publicly funded schemes are promoted to provide resilience to coastal erosion/flooding, that they are developed with regard to the predicted long term, climate-change driven coastal changes, and that they incorporate/are contextualised within an understanding of/plans for future adaptation needs. | 35, 37, 38, 46, 47, 48 |
Business and industry
Table 18. Strategic adaptation options and enablers to address climate hazards in the business and industry sector.
| # | Actions | CIG risks addressed |
| BIA 1 | Establish strategies to develop the South West region as a global research and knowledge hub for climate adaptation action and governance. | 49, 50, 51, 52, 54 |
| BIA 2 | Develop business engagement strategies to enable local authorities and regional action groups to assess private sector needs, gain inputs, and consult companies on practical implementation of adaptation actions. | 49, 50, 51, 52, 54 |
| BIA 3 | Develop and expand the Climate Emergency / Readiness Action group (steering group formed from business, public sector and academia) to take the lead on more projects within the region (e.g. Climate Ready Clyde). | 49, 50, 54 |
| BIB 1 | EA to raise awareness of EA Flood maps and tools for businesses to see if operations will be affected. | 49, 50, 54 |
| BIB 2 | Severe Weather Policy – set out clearly what workers should do when Met Office severe weather warnings are issued and what thresholds they should work under. | 49, 50, 54 |
| BIB 3 | Improve water management (reduce / reuse). | 51 |
| BIB 4 | Put in place a severe weather plan and resilience measures to ensure business continuity, sign up for alerts and check insurances for coverage on flooding / severe weather events. | 49, 50, 54 |
| BIB 5 | Install moderate / large-scale rainwater harvesting systems. | 51 |
| BIC 1 | Promote the robust and resilient design of new / refurbished assets and infrastructure. E.g., Promote property flood resilience products to protect against severe weather and hazardous events. | 49, 50, 54 |
| BIX 1 | Investment to help pivot local businesses through MP’s etc. | 52 |
| BIX 2 | Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) rollout will have knock-on implications for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) who will increasingly be required to disclose climate related financial risks to financers and major business to business customers. Green Business Grants, and advice and support for SMEs as they transition to net-zero carbon and climate resilience. | 49, 50, 51, 52, 54 |
| BIX 3 | Training and development of key Local Authority, public and private sector personnel. | 49, 50, 51, 52, 54 |
| BIX 4 | Businesses to undertake their own climate change risk assessment, monitor costs from previous severe weather events, build a business case for proactive adaptation measures and resilience planning and the adaptative capacity to integrate these into a programme of change to create a more robust organisation. | 49, 50, 51, 52, 54 |
| BIX 5 | Provide training to staff on the impacts of extreme temperatures in the workplace and encourage appropriate safety procedures for those individuals with medical conditions likely to be aggravated by high levels of heat. | 53 |
Cross-cutting (including international dimensions)
Table 19. Cross-cutting strategic adaptation options and enablers to address climate hazards across multiple sectors (including international dimensions).
| # | Actions | CIG risks addressed |
| CCA 1 | Local Authority and UKHSA Health Protection Teams to raise awareness of new disease and transmission vectors and work with key stakeholders, e.g. Integrated Care Board, and Environment Agency. | 61 |
| CCA 3 | As temperatures increase bacterial infection occurrence may rise in higher latitudes. Alongside the faster bacteria reproduction rates with higher temperatures there is an increased risk of bacteria becoming drug resistant. Raise awareness on the impacts of anti-microbial resistance and prevention measures (e.g. reducing antibiotics use in livestock). | 61 |
| CCA 2 | Define a regional approach (e.g. ‘One Health’) to prevent the emergence of zoonotic diseases (infectious diseases transmitted between animals and humans). | 61 |
| CCB 1 | Encourage and stimulate the purchase of local, environmentally sustainable produce to support a healthier and more resilient food system and reduce food miles. | 56 |
| CCC 1 | Work with partners, including universities, to examine the effects of climate change on crime rates and the potential for civil disorder. | 59, 60 |
| CCC2 | Police Service to liaise with the Met Office to expand weather forecast alert system for high temperatures and potential increase in crime. | 34, 60 |
4Adaptive Release (AR) is an approach that supports the transformation of a heritage asset (including its values and significance), within wider landscape settings. AR is proactive and positive, intended to be applied in situations where anticipated environmental change is likely to lead to eventual loss and/or alteration.” (University of Exeter et al., 2022)
Appendix 5 – Signposting to useful resources
Links and signposting to a range of useful resources to support on risk management, adaptation planning and knowledge exchange.
Table 20. List of useful resources to support on risk management, adaptation planning and knowledge exchange
| Resource Name | Resource Type | Geographic Scope | Resource description / added notes |
| Achieving Sustainable Agricultural Systems | Materials | National | Achieving Sustainable Agricultural Systems (ASSIST) – Research by Rothamsted exploring opportunities to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture while maintaining yields. |
| Adaptive Release paper | Materials | National | Explores range of options available to natural and historic environment professionals in responding to climate change (paper by Historic England and the University of Exeter). |
| Antibiotic Guardian | Organisation | National | Resources and signposting to useful organisations and awareness campaign. |
| Be Flood Ready | Materials | National | Information and guidance on property flood resilience. |
| Beat the Heat | Materials | National | Top tips for staying cool in a heat wave from UK Government. |
| Business Resilience Health Check | Tool | National | Bespoke action plan for organisations. |
| Carbon Neutral Cornwall Hive | Materials | Cornwall | Resources to help reach carbon neutrality. |
| CCC – 2021 Progress Report to Parliament | Materials | National | Overview of an annual assessment of UK progress in reducing emissions, a biennial assessment of progress in adapting to climate change and recommendations to government. |
| CCRA3 – National Summary for England | Materials | National | National summary of climate risk for England. |
| CCRA3 – Research and Supporting Analysis | Materials | National | A number of commissioned research projects that provide research and supporting analysis for the technical chapters within CCRA3. |
| CCRA3 – Sector Briefings | Materials | National | Key sector and themed briefings to accompany CCRA3. |
| CCRA3 – Technical Report | Materials | National | Assessment of the level of risk or opportunity across key sectors, including, Natural Environment, Infrastructure, Health, Communities & Built Environment, Business & Industry and International Dimensions. |
| CCRA3 – CCC independent advice report of UK climate risk | Materials | National | CCRA3 – The Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) independent advice report of UK climate risk report on the priority climate change risks and opportunities for the UK. |
| CCRA3 – The UK’s third climate change risk assessment | Materials | National | Five-year assessment which identifies the risks that climate change poses to multiple parts of our society and economy. |
| Chambers of Commerce | Organisation | National | Support (e.g. resources) for businesses working towards net-zero. |
| Climate ADAPT – Adaptation Pathways Map | Materials | National | Example adaptation pathways map. |
| Climate Adaptation Scilly Rainwater Harvesting Grants | Grants | Isles of Scilly | Grants closed 14/10/22. Funding allocated to 20 local businesses across the islands. |
| Climate Change and Health Adaptation Tool | Tool | Cornwall | Evidence-based tool to support public sector decision makers in climate adaptation. |
| Climate Change and UK Wildfire | Materials | National | A summary of management of wildfires in the UK, potential impacts of wildfire to society and policy options for increasing the UKs resilience. |
| CoaST | Network | Cornwall | Support sustainable tourism by connecting organisations and individuals. |
| Coastal Based Approach (CoBA) | Tool | National | Build resilience in existing coastal community structures, bringing together marine and land-based ecologists. |
| Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership | Network | Isles of Scilly + Cornwall | Collaboration of local partners providing joined-up leadership on nature. |
| Cornwall Climate Action Network | Network | Cornwall | CIC supporting local climate groups. (In development). |
| Cornwall Climate Care | Organisation | Cornwall | A series of documentaries highlighting the impacts of climate change already being felt in Cornwall. |
| Cornwall Council Community Emergency Planning | Tool | Cornwall | Practical support for emergency planning for communities. |
| Cornwall Flood Forum | Organisation | Cornwall | Information on flood risk, preparation and recovery. |
| Cosy Devon (rebranding as Energy Saving Devon) | Network | Devon | Free retrofitting for lower-income households. |
| Daras – the Cornwall Land Hub | Materials | Cornwall | One stop shop’ for funding opportunities and agricultural advice for farmers and landowners. |
| DATA (Devon Agri-Tech Accelerator) | Tool | Devon | Support and research for farms and agri-businesses looking to move towards sustainable farming. |
| DEFRA – Property Level Flood Protection Case Studies | Materials | National | DEFRA – Post-Installation Effectiveness of Property Level Flood Protection provides Case Studies. |
| Devon and Cornwall Health Protection Committee | Organisation | South West | Assurance that adequate arrangements are in place for prevention, surveillance, planning and response to communicable disease and environmental hazards, required to protect the public’s health. |
| Devon and Severn IFCA | Network | Devon | Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) marine management framework. |
| Devon Carbon Plan | Materials | Devon | Sets out how Devon will reach net-zero by 2050, with actions for each level of society. |
| Devon Climate Emergency | Network | Devon | Resources to support Devon achieving net-zero and increased resilience. |
| Devon Communities Together | Organisation | Devon | Support, services, funding opportunities aimed at communities. |
| Devon County Council Flooding | Materials | Devon | Signposting to flood resources. |
| Devon Food Partnership | Network | Devon | Facilitating communication between food stakeholders to improve food distribution, governance and sustainability. |
| Devon Local Nature Partnership | Network | Devon | Collaboration of local partners providing joined-up leadership on nature. |
| Devon Maritime Forum | Organisation | Devon | Provide services to improve communication between coastal and marine stakeholders. |
| DCIoS Nature Based Solutions and NFM Group | Network | South West | Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Nature Based Solutions and Natural Flood Management (NFM) Group. |
| Devon’s Estuary Management Partnerships | Network | Devon | Partnership for each of Devon’s main river estuaries. |
| EA Flood Risk Warnings | Tool | National | Environment Agency (EA) flood warnings and alerts in England, check for flooding near you and get flood warnings by phone, text or email. |
| EA Pathfinder Projects | Network | South West | Environment Agency (EA) promoting property flood resilience. |
| Environmental lmprovement Plan 2023 | Materials | National | First revision of the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan for England. |
| Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) | Materials | National | Briefing on Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) introduction and benefits. |
| Farm Innovation Toolkit | Tool | National | A toolkit that provides options for innovation and technology for individual farm businesses. |
| Flood Re | Organisation | National | Flood Re information on flood re-insurance scheme. |
| Flood risk management plans (FRMP) | Materials | National | National and regional plans for FRM. |
| FloodHub – Property | Materials | National | Property Flood Resilience Toolkit. |
| Food Farming Countryside Commission land use framework | Network | National | Guide for decision makers to support better decisions about land. |
| Green Futures Network | Network | National | Access to academic research on climate mitigation and adaptation. |
| Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership | Network | Devon | Advice and support for businesses in Devon on economic growth, employments and prosperity. |
| IPCC AR6 | Climate data | National | Climate projection data. |
| Islands Futures Board | Organisation | Isles of Scilly | Group of representatives of IoS stakeholders that guide the Islands’ economic plan. |
| Isles of Scilly Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) | Network | Isles of Scilly | Marine management framework. |
| ISO 14090:2019 Adaptation to climate change – Principles, requirements and guidelines | Materials | National | Principles, requirements, and guidelines for climate change adaptation. This includes integrating adaptation within organisations, understanding impacts and uncertainties and how these can be used to inform decisions. |
| Lagas | Tool | Cornwall | Tool for viewing nature recovery network and habitat opportunities. |
| Local Climate Adaptation Tool (LCAT) | Tool | South West | Tool for local government and public health professionals to explore climate change forecasts. |
| Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group | Organisation | National | Influence government and support local authorities on coastal issues. Membership held by Cornwall Council, Devon County Council, Teignbridge, East Devon, Torridge and North Devon councils. |
| Local Resilience Forum | Network | South West | Coordinates responses to major emergencies, provides emergency plans and training. |
| Magic Maps | Tool | National | Tool for viewing environmental GIS data i.e. species, habitats etc. |
| Met Office | Organisation | National | Weather forecasts, advice and warnings, plus projected climate change impacts. |
| NAP2 – The second National Adaptation Programme | Materials | National | The key actions the government is taking to address the risks and opportunities posed by a changing climate for the 5-year period of 2018 to 2023. |
| National Adaptation Programme | Materials | National | Latest report published summer 2023 for 2023 – 2028. |
| National Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM) | Tool | National | Interactive map showing erosional extents, where certain habitats will start to disappear. |
| National Trust Climate Hazards | Tool | National | Tool that shows the exposure of UK sites to climate hazards, comparing 2020 to 2060. |
| NHS Heatwave | Materials | National | Information on how to cope in hot weather. |
| North Devon Biosphere | Network | Devon | Strategy for sustainable development of nature and communities. |
| North Devon Marine Natural Capital Plan | Materials | Devon | Locally specific marine plan based on a natural capital approach. |
| Parish County Forums | Network | – | Community groups for parish council areas. |
| Plan for Water | Strategy | National | The Defra (2023) Plan for Water outlines how the government will deliver a clean and sustainable water supply, including delivering on its own goals in the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023. |
| Plymouth – projecting sea state (warning system) | Materials | Devon | Sea state warning system. |
| Plymouth Sound National Marine Park | Organisation | Devon | Aim to create better access to Plymouth Sound. Providing resources to marine activities and connecting organisations. |
| Property Flood Resilience Grants | Grants | Devon | Funding scheme for homeowners to cover a property survey and purchasing of necessary flood resilience measures. |
| South West Climate Change Portal (Australia) | Materials | National | Information on adaptation pathway planning. |
| South West Net Zero Hub | Organisation | South West | Resources to support organisations and communities to implement low carbon energy projects. |
| South West Rail Resilience Programme | Materials | South West | Information on a programme run by Network Rail to increase the rail resilience between Dawlish and Teignmouth. |
| South West Water Website | Organisation | South West | Signposting to grants, free water saving devices and tips. |
| Tevi – Sustainability Issues | Organisation | Cornwall & Isles of Scilly | Business sustainability consultation, access to grant funding. |
| The Adaptation and Resilience in the Context of Change network (ARCC) | Materials | National | Adapting UK homes to reduce overheating – policy & practice briefing. |
| Transition Network | Organisation | National | e.g. Transition Town Totnes. Community-led charity working on projects to reduce emissions use. |
| UCKP18 data | Climate data | National | Local level climate projections produced by the Met Office. |
| UK Health Security Agency | Organisation | National | Developing a ‘Climate Change and Health Security’ unit to provide adaptation options and monitoring. |
| UKCIP Adaptation Wizard | Tool | National | A 5-step process to help your organisation adapt to climate change, with useful information and resources. |
| Volunteer Cornwall | Organisation | Cornwall | Information and support. |
| Wild About Devon | Network | Devon | Project within the Devon Local Nature Partnership, signposting to useful resources to help communities take action. |
| Your Shore Network | Network | Cornwall | List of community led marine conservation groups. |
| Zoonoses Contingency Plan | Materials | National | How Defra will manage incidents of endemic zoonotic diseases in England. |
Appendix 6 – Adaptation Plan
Natural environment (including agriculture and forestry)
Strategic Direction A – Support and actively improve the adaptive capacity of landscapes and habitats
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| NEA1 | Develop a collaborative regional water strategy to manage water availability and safe treatment and disposal of waste water, including aquifer recharge, control over-extraction, increase the use of rainwater harvesting, reduce effluent discharge etc. | Short | Environment Agency, Natural England, South West Water, Cornwall Catchment Partnership, West Country Water Resources, East Devon Catchment Partnership |
| NEA4 | Set out a regional strategy to protect, restore and enhance terrestrial carbon stores from land use change and increase the resilience where possible (e.g. peatland restoration, woodland management, soils). | Medium | Natural England, Peatland Partnerships, Wildlife Trusts, Cornwall Catchment Partnership, Local Authorities |
| NEA5 | Local Nature Recovery strategies to demonstrate what type of habitat will be supported in the future. (e.g. intertidal zones, the benefits of different saltwater / freshwater marsh etc.) and opportunities for supporting human health. | Long | Wildlife Trusts, Natural England, Peatland Partnerships |
Strategic Direction B – Use agriculture / forestry networks and knowledge to implement best practice. Provide them with key information to protect ecosystem services
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| NEB1 | Promote and Improve soil management techniques (Min-till cultivation, cover crops, ley-arable rotations) to protect soil structure / nutrient levels and increase resilience to adverse weather / aridity impacts. Consider adoption of a systems thinking approach such as the Land Use Framework. | Short | The Devon and Cornwall Soils Alliance, Soil Association, Duchy of Cornwall. Mid-Devon Silvopasture Group |
| NEB5 | Adapt agricultural land use through Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) funding and Biodiversity Net Gain funding (e.g. buffer strips, conservation areas etc.). | Medium | Future Farming Resilience Project DEFRA, Local Authorities, AONB Bodies |
| NEB6 | Develop alternative water supplies (e.g. boreholes) and use of rainwater harvesting and storage (ponds/reservoirs) on farm. Put in ponds, swales and wetlands. | Medium | DEFRA, Natural England, Farming Resilience Fund Wildlife Trusts, Natural England, AHDB |
Strategic Direction C – Maximise community participation and connection to nature
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| NEC1 | Provision of capacity building support and advice to community groups from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for taking action to support nature enhancement. | Short | Wildlife Trusts. Exeter University, Local Nature Partnerships |
| NEC2 | Facilitate landowners connecting with local nature groups to understand the benefits around alternative land use to support biodiversity and the natural environment and human health. | Medium | Future Farming Resilience Project DEFRA, Local Authorities, AONB, Wildlife Trusts |
Infrastructure
Strategic Direction A – Develop cross sector collaboration to equip the region with the knowledge and skills to take adaptation action
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| INFA1 | Build on and develop resilience partnerships. Ensure their Command, Control and Co-Ordination arrangements for an emergency which involves the loss of both power and telecoms, and actively involve utilities companies in local planning where required to ensure linkage with regional and national developments. | Short | Local Authorities, Fire and Rescue Services, South West Water, National Grid, Openreach, Environment Agency, Highways Agency |
| INFA2 | Emergency Planning – Map voluntary and community sector assets and capabilities in their areas, Develop processes for their swift activation, deployment and coordination. Ensure distributed energy resources (DER), such as customer-premise microgrids (e.g. solar + storage systems), community microgrids, or mobile battery and generation systems can provide life-preserving power to community shelters and public health facilities during emergencies. | Medium | Local Authorities, Community Councils, National Grid, Openreach, Devon Community Resilience Forum, Cornwall Rural Community Charity |
| INFA3 | Develop a working group with infrastructure industry associations and providers at regional level to improve interdependencies awareness within the infrastructure sector (Co-location of infrastructure, e.g. bridge crossings / roadways and impact of cascade failure). Engage with National Grid, Hydrologists and power system modelers to simulate and understand the impacts of compounded flooding, heat waves and droughts on the power generation in the region. | Medium | Local Authorities, Highways Agency, National Grid, Network Rail, Openreach, EE, Vodaphone |
Strategic Direction B – Enhancing long term Infrastructure resilience through local stewardship
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| INFB1 | Develop joint strategies, research and longer-term schemes with South West Water, Lead Local Flood Authority, and Catchment Partnerships to improve catchment management both for high flow areas at flood risk and protect low flow by reducing demand / drought impacts. | Short | Catchment Partnerships, South West Water, Environment Agency, ANOB bodies, Openreach, Environment Agency, Highways Agency |
| INFB2 | Enable and promote climate resilience through procurement processes. Consider climate resilience of new assets and infrastructure when comparing competing bids, by accounting for costs over the asset lifetime under alternative climate scenarios. | Medium | Local Authorities, Local Government Association, South West Water, National Grid, Openreach, Environment Agency, Highways Agency |
| INFB3 | Communicate behavioural change measures to reduce consumption of water and energy. | Short | South West Water, National Grid, Local Authorities, Catchment Partnerships |
Health and the built environment
Strategic Direction A – Increase community awareness of how climate change can impact physical and mental health
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| HBEA1 | Working with relevant agencies and our communities, develop a climate change awareness campaign to inform stakeholders, including the public of the projected range of changes and their impacts alongside how we are adapting and what we can all do to respond. | Short | Local Authorities |
| HBEA2 | Public authorities to continue to provide timely & localised information on climate change impacts to enable appropriate adaptation planning by all. | Short | Environment Agency, Local Authorities, Local Government Association, |
Strategic Direction B – Support residences and businesses on private water supplies to adapt to climate change threats, including security of supply and changing water quality
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| HBEB1 | Local authorities to provide advice and expanded monitoring for properties with private water supplies (quality and quantity). | Short | Local authorities, DWI, South West Water |
| HBEB2 | Provide access to and guidance on benefits of rainwater harvesting systems (i.e. to capture excess rainfall for use in the garden) and grey water harvesting systems (i.e. collect and treat wastewater from showers, baths and wash basins). | Medium | South West Water, Local Authorities,Environment Agency, Catchment Partnerships. Local Government Association, |
Strategic Direction C – Assist public services to understand climate change impacts on their assets, service delivery and the community’s health
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| HBEC1 | Promote and provide staff with time to undertake volunteer work with local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) and develop Corporate social responsibility (CSR). | Medium | Local authorities, DWI, South West Water |
| HBEC2 | Develop a strategy and guidance for the adaptation of heritage assets to climate impacts, including a “Managed Decline to Adaptive Release5” strategy to record historic buildings, sites, and landscapes as a part of managed coastal retreat due to sea level rise, erosion and storms. | Medium | Historic England, Local Museums,Community Archaeology Society, Duchy of Cornwall, ANOB groups |
| HBEC3 | Work with partners to develop the materials and training to support in the establishment and operation of local Community Resilience Groups (or similar existing groups) and the development of community adaptation plans. | Short | Local Authorities, Devon / Cornwall / ISO Community Resilience Forums, Cornwall Rural Community Charity,Community Councils, |
Strategic Direction D – Minimise heat-related illness and death
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| HBED1 | Provision of funding and guidance for properties to be retrofitted in line with New Building Regulations Part O to prevent buildings overheating and / or reduce heat loss in winter. | Medium | Local authorities, Historic England, CITB, National Housing Federation |
Strategic Direction E – Ensure the region is ready for, and resilient to, flooding and coastal change
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| HBEE1 | Policy makers to start gathering evidence of where aspects of community / development / industry / utility etc will need to be relocated due to climate impacts and develop an evidence base that can inform planning activities (e.g. relocation of properties due to insurmountable flood risk). | Medium | Environment Agency, Local authorities |
| HBEE3 | Local Planning Authorities to ensure that their Local Plans utilise and build upon the findings and direction provided by strategic documents dealing with coastal change (e.g. Shoreline Management Plans, Coastal Change Management Areas, Flood Risk Management Plans etc). | Medium | Local authorities, Environment Agency |
| HBEE4 | Policymakers to engage with the public to ensure awareness and understanding of the predicted impacts of climate change around the coast generally, and on their local communities specifically – to co-produce knowledge and agree viable actions. | Short | Environment Agency, Local authorities |
Business and industry
Strategic Direction A – Ensure the region is ready for, and resilient to, flooding and coastal change
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| BIA1 | Establish strategies to develop the South West region as a global research and knowledge hub for climate adaptation action and governance. | Medium | CIOS Local Enterprise Partnership, South West LLEP, Exeter University |
| BIA2 | Develop business engagement strategies to enable local authorities and regional action groups to assess private sector needs, gain inputs, and consult companies on practical implementation of adaptation actions. | Medium | CIOS Local Enterprise Partnership, South West LLEP, Local Authorities |
| BIA3 | Develop and expand the Climate Emergency / Readiness Action group – (Steering group formed from business, public sector and academia) to take the lead on more projects within the region (e.g. Climate Ready Clyde). | Short | Climate Emergency / Readiness Action Group Environment Agency, Local authorities, LLEP’s |
Strategic Direction B – Develop industry readiness for impacts e.g. supply chain security, drought restrictions
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| BIB2 | Severe Weather Policy – set out clearly what workers should do when Met Office severe weather warnings are issued and what thresholds they should work under. | Medium | Environment Agency, CIOS Local Enterprise Partnership, South West LLEP, Exeter University |
| BIB3 | Improve water management (reduce / reuse). | Medium | South West Water, CIOS Local Enterprise Partnership, South West LLEP, Local Authorities |
| BIB4 | Put in place a severe weather plan and resilience measures to ensure business continuity, sign up for alerts and check insurances for coverage on flooding / severe weather events. | Short | Environment Agency, Climate Emergency / Readiness Action Group, Local authorities, LLEP’s |
Strategic Direction C – Enhancing long term business resilience through local stewardship.
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| BIC1 | Promote the robust and resilient design of new/refurbished assets and infrastructure. E.g., Promote property flood resilience products to protect against severe weather and hazardous events. | Medium | Local authorities, Environment Agency |
Cross-cutting (including international dimensions)
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| CCA1 | Local Authority and UKHSA Health Protection Teams to raise awareness of new disease and transmission vectors and work with key stakeholders, e.g. Integrated Care Board, and Environment Agency. | Medium | Local authorities, NHS Boards |
| CCA2 | Define a regional approach (e.g. ‘One Health’) to prevent the emergence of zoonotic diseases (infectious diseases transmitted between animals and people). | Short | NHS Boards, Animal Plant Health Agency, Public Health England, DEFRA, Local Authorities |
| CCA3 | As temperatures increase bacterial infection occurrence may rise in higher latitudes. Alongside the faster bacteria reproduction rates with higher temperatures there is an increased risk of bacteria becoming drug resistant. Raise awareness on the impacts of anti-microbial resistance and prevention measures (e.g. reducing antibiotics use in livestock). | Short | Responsible use of medicines in agriculture alliance, NHS Boards, NFU, National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) |
Strategic Direction B – Improve the community’s knowledge and awareness of the health impacts of climate change, both current and into the future.
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| CCB1 | Encourage and stimulate the purchase of local, environmentally sustainable produce to support a healthier, and more resilient food system and reduce food miles. | Medium | Local authorities, NHS Boards |
Strategic Direction C – Information and liaison on effects climate change have on crime rates and civil disorder.
| Ref | Action | Timescale | Responsible |
| CCC1 | Work with partners, including universities, to examine the effects of climate change on crime rates and the potential for civil disorder. | Medium | Devon and Cornwall Police, Universities, |
| CCC2 | Police Service to liaise with the Met Office to expand weather forecast alert system for high temperatures and potential increase in crime. | Short | Devon and Cornwall Police, Met Office, NHS Boards, Local Authorities (Social Care) |
5 Adaptive Release (AR) is an approach that supports the transformation of a heritage asset
(including its values and significance), within wider landscape settings. AR is proactive and
positive, intended to be applied in situations where anticipated environmental change is
likely to lead to eventual loss and/or alteration.” (University of Exeter et al., 2022)
Appendix 7 – Full list of Climate Impacts Group Membership
| Environment Agency (Current Chair) |
| Met Office |
| University of Exeter |
| NHS England |
| Devon County Council |
| Devon Climate Emergency Partnership |
| South West Water |
| Devon & Cornwall Police |
| Public Health Devon |
| Devon Local Nature Partnership |
| Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Local Resilience Forum |
| Cornwall Council |
| Council of the Isles of Scilly |
| Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government |
| Westcountry Rivers Trust |
