Managing Climate Risks to Wellbeing and the Economy

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC), which is the statutory adviser to the government regarding the effects of global warming on the UK, has released a detailed report that looks at the current approach to flood defences and protection.

The “Managing Climate Risks to Wellbeing and the Economy” report provides a range of recommendations and views, which the government is likely to respond to over the coming weeks.

Some of the findings in the report include:

·         Floods such as those witnessed last winter in England are likely to be repeated as houses continue to be built on flood plains, which creates additional risks

·      Three-quarters of the UK’s flood defences are being inadequately maintained due to budget cuts

·      The chance of a catastrophic flood happening in England within the next two decades, causing in excess of £10 billion in damage is around 10%

·      Planning authorities are responsible for enforcing planning conditions, but there is no systematic approach to recording checks and enforcement where it takes place.

·      The standard conveyancing searches conducted as part of a house purchase would not ordinarily establish whether a home in a flood risk area was built against the Environment Agency’s advice

·      Many new housing developments are connected to existing sewerage systems, without analysing the impact this may have, creating further risk of surface water flooding if sewerage systems become overwhelmed

·      The UK’s infrastructure providers, such as rail, energy, water and other similar organisations, were often not thoroughly prepared for the impact severe weather may have on their services. Climate change must be accounted for in their forward planning

·      The proportion of infrastructure exposed to flooding from rivers and the sea is projected to increase for all sectors by the 2050s. For some sectors there could potentially be a near doubling of the number of assets exposed from current levels

·       For every £1 spent on flood defences, an estimated £8 is saved (from insurance and the overall damage costs to homes and businesses).

Here at Landmark, we can provide detailed analysis on all forms of flood risk: fluvial (river), pluvial (surface water), coastal or tidal and groundwater.  We work in partnership with infrastructure providers, conveyancers, developers, town planners, surveyors, Local Authorities and more to provide bespoke flood analysis and maps that help assess the overall risk posed at a given location, site or postcode.

With extreme weather conditions threatening to become ever more prevalent, plus

Environment Agency data illustrating that overall flood risk has increased over the last decade, the ability to accurately assess associated risk is increasingly important in first stage prevention.