Local government performance framework
NI 188 – Planning to Adapt to Climate Change
Introduction
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 50 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 an LAA 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 all decision making, services and planning. To do this we want authorities to assess the risks and opportunities from climate change across their area (and if appropriate incorporating that of neighbouring authorities) to determine what are their priority needs to adapt and develop relevant action plans. We are looking for the LAA 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. In addition, working with their local strategic partnership members to embed climate change adaptation across the local authority 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 authority to put in place a framework of measures which can accommodate and build in the new evidence as and when it becomes available.
How does this link to the CSR07 Public Service Agreement and the Climate Change Bill ?
The CSR 07 PSA on climate change includes the objective to develop a robust approach to adapting to climate change in the UK. Currently under the climate change PSA, the outcome indicator is on sustainable water abstraction. As the Government’s adaptation programme develops, the aim will be to develop broader and more outcome based indicators of adaptation. However, until then the results from the indicator will form a key part of the evidence under the PSA on adaptation.
There is though a Defra DSO – “Economy and society resilient to environmental risk and adapted to the impacts of climate change” and there are also several other PSAs and departmental objectives, where adaptation to climate change are linked. E.g. PSA 19 Increased long term housing supply and affordability.
The Climate Change Bill is currently going through Parliament. The draft Bill includes a power for the Secretary of State to require a public body to report on its progress on adaptation, if required. This power might be exercised where a body is seen to have a specific vulnerabilities but has not taken account of adaptation issues. With this background, there is therefore an expectation that significant public bodies such as Local Authorities will have taken some action on adaptation.
The Bill also places a duty on government to publish an assessment of risk to the UK and its plan to tackle adaptation, and report on progress. As part of this reporting, the information from the LAAs will be an important tool in demonstrating progress on adapting to climate change nationally.
We are developing a cross-Government Adaptation Policy Framework document. The Framework will identify priority areas for action, where Government departments need to work closely together to ensure adaptation occurs.
The Adaptation Policy Framework publication is expected to cover four key themes:
- People (e.g. health, security)
- The Natural and Historic Environment (e.g. agriculture)
- Economy (e.g. finance, energy)
- Sustainable Communities (e.g. built environment, water)
The APF will be published when the legislative position is clear. This will set out a strategic vision for a UK that is adapting well to the impacts of climate change.
Page published: 10 April 2008