The association for local authority directors, ADEPT, has launched a new toolkit to help manage the impacts of climate change.
The Rapid Adaptation Pathways Assessment (RAPA) Toolkit was developed in partnership with the Environment Agency and focuses primarily on the risks of flooding and coastal erosion.
It provides a structural framework to guide local authorities through basic assessments for pathway adaptation.
The RAPA methodology focuses on two key questions; Are there climate change impacts that make current assets or services inefficient, ineffective or redundant, and what are the best options for enabling local authorities to continue meeting their objectives?
ADEPT hopes that by answering these questions, authorities can plan methods to stay on track to meet climate change objectives by 2100.
A test of the toolkit was conducted via pilot workshops at Marlborough, Adur and Worthing, and Severnside to help shape the toolkit and make sure that it was practical and met the needs of local authorities.
Ann Carruthers, president of ADEPT, said: ‘Local authorities are on the frontline of adaptation to climate change: minimising the negative impacts of extreme weather on people’s lives, property and critical infrastructure.
‘The RAPA Toolkit is a practical tool that empowers local authorities to take timely action and make informed investments, avoiding costs associated with acting too early or too late. Taking appropriate action can safeguard economic stability, vulnerable communities, ecosystems and biodiversity while enhancing the quality of life of residents.’
Harry Chalk, Environment Agency’s adaptation pathways business lead, said: ‘With 6.3 million properties in England in areas at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water, it is vital that local authorities can make the best decisions when it comes to adapting to our changing climate.
‘Our Adaptation Pathways Programme shows earlier collaboration between local authorities and their partners supports effective decision-making, and through the new toolkit we are empowering them to deliver positive change for their communities.’
The RAPA toolkit is available here.
