As our understanding of the climate system improves, so does our ability to anticipate the likely changes in climate due to increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
The climate in the UK is projected to change significantly over the next century, with average annual temperatures in some regions rising by up to 5ºC by 2080.
The specific changes we are likely to see can be summarised as:
The impacts of climate change will often be specific to individual sectors or areas thus making some sectors and areas more vulnerable than others.
Our most vulnerable sectors in Gloucestershire are likely to be:
For more information on climate change impacts in the south west region visit: http://www.oursouthwest.com/climate/sr-feature-laa-cc.htm
The overall aim of NI188 is to embed the management of climate risks and opportunities across the local authority and partners services, plans and estates and to take appropriate adaptive actions where required.
NI188 is a process based indicator. This is not typical of most of the National Indicators, which are "outcome based". NI188 both recognises that our understanding of the adaptation agenda is not yet sufficient to specify outcomes, but also that climate impacts are local and it is impossible to have a generic outcome indicator at the moment which is applicable to all areas.
The latest guidance on NI188 can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk and supporting information at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/41840.aspx
Local authorities will report the level of preparedness they have reached against the levels of performance, graded 0 to 4. A higher number represents further progress made in planning to adapt. The levels are:
Level 0 Getting Started
Level 1 Public Commitment and impacts assessment
Level 2 Comprehensive risk assessment
Level 3 Comprehensive action plan
Level 4 Implementation, monitoring and continuous review
The 7 Gloucestershire Councils have committed themselves, within the Gloucestershire Local Area Agreement, to achieve Level 3 by the end of 2011/12. To achieve the target the partners have put together a programme of collective activities that will help each individual organisation embed the management of climate risks over time
View the levels below:
If you would like further information on the Gloucestershire approach to NI188 then please contact Nigel Riglar, Director Environment, Gloucestershire County Council in the first instance (01452) 426599, nigel.riglar@gloucestershire.gov.uk
