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Statutory Guidance

The Climate Change Act gives the Government the power to produce Statutory Guidance on adaptation for organisations who are required to report under the Climate Change Act.

This guidance will set out the processes that organisations need to go through to assess the risks from climate change and draw up adaptation plans.

While it is aimed primarily at the reporting authorities we hope that the guidance will also be useful for all organisations as they consider the need to adapt to climate change.

We are currently consulting on our draft statutory guidance, alongside the Reporting Power, and would welcome your comments.

The deadline for comments is 9 September.

On this page:

Who will the Statutory Guidance apply to?

The guidance will apply to all organisations that are required to report on their risk assessments and action plans to the Government under the new Adaptation Reporting Power. Every organisation that is directed to report by the Secretary of State must consider this guidance when writing its report.

While the guidance is particularly aimed at the wide range of public sector organisations and statutory undertakers, we hope that the guidance will be of use to all organisations going through the process of assessing the risks from climate change and drawing up adaptation plans.

What information will the Statutory Guidance include?

The guidance that is currently being consulted on includes:

  • background on adaptation to climate change and national policy on adaptation
  • information on assessing risks and vulnerabilities, and developing possible adaptation responses, and evaluating progress
  • details about the expected scope of the report
  • the principles of sustainable development, and the need to take into account risks and opportunities from climate change for the natural environment and social and economic well being
  • advice on how to integrate adapting to climate change into mainstream activities and existing performance frameworks (eg local government Indicators); and
  • guidance on working with others to develop risk assessments and adaptation plans.

The guidance will in the longer term be supported by a web based directory of additional information including general sources advice and information, for example from the UK Climate Impact Programme.

What geographical area is covered by the guidance?

The statutory guidance, when used in conjunction with the reporting power, will cover England and reserved matters only. The Welsh Assembly is also given powers under the Act to issue statutory guidance.

Her Majesty's Government will work closely together with the Welsh Assembly on joined up guidance across England and Wales.

The Statutory Guidance will not be legally enforced outside of this remit. However, it will be a public document, and published on the adaptation website for all interested parties to consult..

Further information

Page last modified:18 June 2009
Page published: 24 July 2008

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