The Climate Change Act 2008 gives Government the power to direct public bodies and statutory undertakers, such as utility companies, to report on how they will address their climate change risks. This is called the Adaptation Reporting Power.
On this page you can link to our adaptation report, you will also find a range of guidance for organisations in England or Wales who have received a UK Government Direction or invitation to report.
Our adaptation report
The Environment Agency was one of the first public bodies asked to report under the Adaptation Reporting Power.
Guidance for reporting authorities
This guidance is for organisations in England or Wales who have received a UK Government Direction or invitation to report. It is designed to help reporting authorities produce a high-quality report that meets the Government's criteria.
Statutory guidance
We recommend that you read the Government's statutory guidance before consulting the Environment Agency's adaptation reporting guidance.
Our adaptation guidance
Our guidance is intended to complement the Statutory Guidance to Reporting Authorities 2009. Reporting authorities are not required to have regard to this guidance, but we trust that it will be a useful source of information.
Our guidance is structured according to the following key areas of climate change risk where the Environment Agency has particular expertise and responsibility:
Within each of these areas the guidance provides information and advice to help you at key stages of your reporting process: assessing current risks, assessing future climate change risk and in identifying appropriate adaptation actions.
More information
We have also included a section on Appraising options. The statutory guidance makes clear that the success of an adaptive measure depends upon assessing its broader impacts, including its impact on the natural environment (para. 5.18).
The adaptation actions you take should aim to minimise the environmental impacts, and where possible develop actions that benefit wildlife. This section also includes advice on ensuring your adaptation measures do not increase flood risk elsewhere.
