National indicator 188: Adapting to climate change

NI 188: Planning to adapt to climate change

NI188 is designed to measure progress in preparedness in assessing and addressing the risks & opportunities of a changing climate. The indicator has been developed in consultation with the GO, UKCIP, LGA, EA and the Audit Commission. 

Please see indicator guidance on NI188 (PDF 374 KB)

Aim of the indicator

The aim of this indicator is to embed the management of climate risks and opportunities across the all levels of services, plans and estates. It is a process indicator which gauges progress of a local area to:

  • Assess the risks and opportunities comprehensively across the area;
  • Take action in any identified priority areas;
  • Develop an adaptation strategy and action plan setting out the risk assessment, where the priority areas are – where necessary in consultation & exhibiting leadership of local partners - what action is being taken to address these, and how risks will be continually assessed and monitored in the future; and
  • Implement, assess and monitor the actions on an ongoing basis.

What are we trying to achieve?

Without the evidence to determine outcome based targets, the best indicator we can use currently in adaptation is a measure of progress. Ultimately we are trying to ensure that assessing the risks and opportunities from climate change is embedded across decision making, services and planning. To do this we want authorities with local partners to assess the risks and opportunities from climate change across their area (and if appropriate incorporating that of neighboring authorities) to determine what are their priority needs to adapt and to develop relevant action plans. We are looking for the local partnership to then take appropriate adaptive measures.

Adapting to climate change will be a continuous process, therefore we are not looking for a local authority to have completed the process by the end of the period – continual risk assessment is key. What we are looking for is evidence that the local authority has put in place a mechanism for proactively managing climate risks and opportunities in their decisions, plans and measures on the ground. Working with local strategic partnership members to embed climate change adaptation across the local area will be important.

Over the life of the indicator, several documents on adaptation are likely to be published including statutory guidance and further evidence gathered as to the likely impacts. We are therefore looking for the local partnership to put in place a framework of measures which can accommodate and build in the new evidence as and when it becomes available.

More information on the Government’s adaptation programme including work at the local and regional level can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/adaptation

Reporting the results of NI188 for 2008/09

The data for National Indicator 188 (NI188) Planning to Adapt to Climate Change is provided through self assessment by the local authority and local strategic partnerships (LSP).

All local authorities (unitary, county and districts) and partnerships report each year on their progress against NI188. The reporting is made up of two parts:

A copy of the matrix including guidance on completing it is available via the link below.

The deadline for submission of both for the 08/09 year is 29 May 09.

Page published: 17 April 2009