Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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WATER INDUSTRY IS FIRST TO TRY OUT THE NEW CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECTIONS
New Environment Minister, Dan Norris, addressed the water industry today at a special conference on the UK Climate Projections 2009 released by Defra last month.
The first Projections in Practice conference explained how the UK Climate Projections illustrate the extent of the changes the UK could face if nothing is done to cut greenhouse gas emissions – warmer and wetter winters, hotter and drier summers, increased risk of coastal erosion and more severe weather. The Projections underline the fact that some climate change is inevitable, even if we cut emissions, and that we will have to adapt the way we live and work.
All of these changes could have an impact on the water industry and its ability to deliver high quality water and sewerage services – from increased water scarcity to ensuring water infrastructure can cope with a changing climate. It is vital that climate change considerations, using the best available science, are fully integrated in all water policy, operations and management.
Dan Norris called on the water industry to use the Projections in their operational planning. He said:
“We can’t ignore the consequences of a changing climate. We must do whatever we can to protect water as a unique and essential resource. I hope the industry will use the Projections to help ensure that their infrastructure and operations can adapt to the impacts of climate change.”
The water industry is the first sector to have a legal requirement to plan ahead on the basis of climate change considerations, through the production of statutory water resources management plans. In addition, the Government is currently consulting on proposals that 103 priority organisations should have to report to Government on the risks climate change poses to their operations and businesses and the plans they have in place to respond. The water industry is identified as a priority sector.
Find the consultation at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/climate-change-adapting/index.htm
Find out more about the UK Climate Projections at http:// www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/adapt/index.htm
