Integrated Research Programme to assess the Impacts of Climate Change in the UK and Adaptation Options

Each project within 'Integrated Research Programme to assess the Impacts of Climate Change in the UK and Adaptation Options' has been designed to collectively produce a portfolio of work that makes excellent use of the UK’s climate change projections (UKCP09). Individually, but more so together, they provide a substantial body of evidence on which to develop robust adaptation policies, and outputs will be integrated in to the Adapting to Climate Change Statutory National Climate Change Risk Assessment.

Projects include “Assessing the impacts of climate change on river flows using UKCP09 projections” initiated by the Water Availability and Quality team at Department of Environment Fodd and Rural Affairs with funding from the Environment Agency and ''Climate Impact Risk Assessment Methodology'' which aims to maintain and optimise defence capability by addressing the impacts of climate change on Ministry of Defence sites.

Investment

The total spend by all organisations involved in this body of work will be around £1.6 million.

Who will benefit?

The UK will benefit as a whole from this activity as all outputs will contribute to forming the evidence base for the Adapting to Climate Change Statutory National Climate Change Risk Assessment.

More generally, some outputs will be in the form of leaflets, given to specific communities so they are aware of their options should they choose to adapt. We are also in the process of setting up two workshops to ensure that knowledge is transferred across all organisation involved, and articles will be published where possible based on the any research conducted.

Organisations involved

The research programme is managed by the Adapting to Climate Change evidence team in Defra and there are 6 other government departments, public bodies and government agencies currently involved in managing and commissioning work, amongst several others who are providing technical advice and other expertise: Environment Agency, Department for Work and Pensions, Ministry of Defence, Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Partnership for Schools.