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Risk assessments in support of adaptation action
United Kingdom

The Climate Change Act 2008 presents a framework for a long-term response to climate change in the UK and formulates climate change mitigation and adaptation laws in the country Among others it requires the production of a UK wide Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) every five years and the development of national adaptation programmes based on the results of the former (DEFRA 2012a).

The first UK CCRA Evidence Report became available in 2012. It provides a detailed analysis of potential impacts, risks and opportunities that might emerge in the UK as a result of climate change both in and across a set of eleven sectors (agriculture; biodiversity and ecosystem services; built environment; business, industry & services; energy; floods and coastal erosion; forestry; health; marine and fisheries; transport; water ) (DEFRA, 2012b). Also, it provides an estimation of monetary values for certain risks when available data allowed it (DEFRA, 2012a).

The overall approach is based on the UK Climate Impacts Programme Risk and Uncertainty Framework, namely its first three stages; identification of problem and objectives, establishment of decision-making criteria and assessment of risk (DEFRA, 2012a). A wide range of quantitative, semi-quantitative and qualitative methods (e.g. literature reviews, workshops, interviews, expert opinion, analysis of historical data, modelling, mapping exercises, application and further development of frameworks, multi-criteria scoring, metrics) were used at different stages of the assessment depending on their objectives. This approach allowed for an optimum use of the existing knowledge and human resources. At the same time it supported the identification of the areas which require more attention (DEFRA, 2012b), and the type of new knowledge that needs to be generated.

Evidence from the first CCRA was used as the base for the development of the UK National Adaptation Programme for the period 2013-2018. This includes the objectives and necessary policies to support decisions for UK's adaptation to climate change (e.g. prioritisation for action and appropriate adaptation measures (DEFRA, 2012a)). Relevant decisions are further supported by economic analysis of adaptation options and the results of a study looking at how climate change impacts beyond the UK borders might affect the country (DEFRA, 2012a).

More information: www.gov.uk/government/policies/adapting-to-climate-change; www.gov.uk/government/policies/adapting-to-climate-change/supporting-pages/national-adaptation-programme