There has been coverage in the Guardian, Telegraph, Independent and the Times following the publication of the government’s third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) yesterday (17 July 2023).
The NAP3 sets out a strategic five-year plan to boost resilience and protect people, homes, businesses and our cultural heritage against climate change risks such as flooding, drought and heatwaves – all of which are becoming increasingly evident in the UK and abroad.
This publication marks a step-change in the UK government’s approach to climate adaptation, setting out in one place the ambitious programme the government is undertaking to address the key climate risks facing the country.
The plan includes a new £15 million programme to invest in research and skills to improve our response further, as well as a dedicated Local Authority Climate Service pilot which will help local authorities plan adaptation by informing them about hazards such as increased heavy rainfall patterns and extreme heat.
Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:
The UK has decarbonised faster than any other G7 country since 1990 – but the effects of a changing climate are becoming increasingly evident in the UK, as well as on a global scale, through a surge in the frequency and severity of heatwaves, floods, droughts and wildfires.
By taking action now, through enhancing our infrastructure, promoting a greener economy, and ensuring resilient food production, we can protect our national security, economic stability, and overall resilience in the face of these climate challenges. This robust five-year plan will secure a more resilient, sustainable future for future generations.
Environment Agency Chief Executive Philip Duffy said:
The unfolding scale of climate change presents a huge challenge for our environment, society and economy. The Environment Agency’s work on flood risk reduction, water management and nature plays an important role in our national climate resilience. We look forward to working with Government and our partners to deliver the new National Adaptation Programme.
From helping homes, schools and hospitals prevent overheating to safeguarding our food and energy supply chains from disruption, the plan includes measures to address the impact of a changing climate on all sections of society.
The government is already investing billions on adaptation measures, including through £5.2 billion in flood and coastal schemes in England, over £750 million for the Nature for Climate Fund, which supports nature-based solutions for climate resilience, and £80 million for the Green Recovery Challenge Fund which creates jobs in nature recovery and conservation - all of which play a crucial role in enhancing the UK's resilience to climate change.