The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly

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Regional Climate Change Adaptation Study

A pioneering new study, focussing on how Yorkshire and the Humber may be affected by climate change and how the region will have to adapt to cope, is underway.

The Regional Climate Change Adaptation Study is being led by the Assembly as part of a regional partnership comprising Yorkshire Futures, Environment Agency, Yorkshire Forward, Natural England, Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber and the UK Climate Impacts Programme.

The partnership has recently appointed Royal Haskoning to undertake the study which will combine state of the art knowledge on climate change, cutting edge research into the topic and a practical understanding of the applied consequences of climate change on people, infrastructure and the natural environment. Input will also be provided by many nationally and internationally recognised experts in key disciplines such as: climatology; geomorphology; transportation; geotechnics; buildings and infrastructure; and biodiversity.

The study aims to assess the likely climate impacts across the region to 2050; identify what should be done to adapt to these impacts; provide costed recommendations on the way forward where practicable; and identify which organisations are best placed to take the lead in delivering the actions identified.

"The Yorkshire and Humber Climate Change Adaptation Study is an important step in ensuring the region is ready and able to cope with climate change in the future. At the moment the only information we have is for general areas, through the UK Climate Impacts Programme, but using special modelling technology developed by Newcastle University - known as EARWIG - this can be enhanced to provide predictions via 5km grids. This will provide a resolution that enables local authorities and other organisations to respond in a clearer and more coherent way - identifying what action they need to take to adapt to our changing climate. We need to be clear on what changes are likely in the years ahead, what areas will be most affected and what we need to do now to prepare and adapt. That's why this study is so important."

Councillor Arthur Barker, Chair – Regional Climate Change Adaptation Study Steering Group

The Brief for the Study, the detailed Work Plan as agreed by the Steering Group and an Executive Summary of the Work Plan are available to download below.

If you would like more details contact Martyn Roberts on 01924 331577; email martyn.roberts@yhassembly.gov.uk or Ruth Hardingham on 01924 331593; email ruth.hardingham@yhassembly.gov.uk

Adaptation Study Brief