Impacts on SW and
background information
Sectors:
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Biodiversity
- Business and Utilities
- Housing and Construction
- Local Government
- Tourism
- Transport
Warming to the idea*
*SW Climate Change Impact Scoping Study including report summary and technical report
Young Climate Change
Champion - SW
Introduction
The importance of a regional approach for responding to the impacts of climate change has been widely recognised. The South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership (SWCCIP) was established in the autumn of 2001 to build upon previous climate change initiatives. SWCCIP changed its name to Climate SouthWest in early 2010. Climate SouthWest is a partnership between key stakeholders.
The initial task for Climate SouthWest was to manage the research, production and dissemination of a South West Regional Climate Change Impacts Scoping Study, 'Warming to the Idea'. This study, completed in January 2003, forms part of a series of regional scoping studies undertaken across the UK.
The Forum continues to steer the ongoing work of Climate SouthWest. The focus of Climate SouthWest's delivery is to look at the effects and impacts of climate change in the South West and develop adaptation responses across a number of priority sectors.
Climate SouthWest is funded by:
Bristol Water
Ecclesiastical Insurance Group
The Environment Agency
Defra
NHS South West
The National Trust
Natural England
South West Water
Wessex Water
Climate SouthWest's Tourism Sector Group also receives support from The South West Tourism Alliance.
Mission & Aims
Climate SouthWest's mission is:
To help the South West Region of England to adapt sustainably to the impacts of climate change by:
- communicating and responding to the science of climate change;
- advising on the social, environmental and economic impacts of climate change;
- delivering and promoting sustainable adaptation responses; and
- engaging with stakeholders in the South West, and other regions, to deliver on climate change adaptation.
Climate SouthWest's 2008-2011 Business Plan sets out it's four main objectives:-
1. Raise awareness and develop guidance on impacts and adaptation in additional sectors, using the latest scenarios and tools.
2. Roll-out the evidence of good practice in climate change adaptation to all key sectors through expansion of the South West case study database and engagement with the learning and skills sector.
3. Review effectiveness of practical adaptation responses in priority sectors to promote widespread adaptive action.
4. Support and inform implementation of adaptation policies in regional strategies and plans.
A copy of Climate SouthWest's Business Plan can be obtained on request (contact details on our home page).
Additionally, the broad aims of Climate SouthWest are:
- To increase awareness and understanding of the potential impacts of climate change upon the South West.
- To initiate, sponsor, disseminate and build upon research and other projects in order to a) explore further the potential impacts of climate change on particular sectors in the South West and b) investigate effective adaptation responses to these impacts.
- To promote the inclusion of climate change adaptation into the strategies and plans of all organisations, particularly those with responsibility at a regional scale.
- To act as a regional focal point for information, initiatives and resources and to provide a link between the many regional and sub-regional organisations concerned with the issues of adaptation to climate change.
- To provide a link with national and international organisations concerned with the issues of adaptation to climate change, including UKCIP.
- To provide a link with those organisations and activities seeking to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable development across the South West region.
Climate SouthWest's Forum agreed on 7 September 2005 that Climate SouthWest should use the nationally recognised 'Greener Events' guide for the events that it organises. Climate SouthWest encourages other organisations that share its aims and objectives to use the guide also. To demonstrate its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the conferences and seminars that it supports, or is associated with, we seek to run these as 'carbon neutral' events where appropriate.
Organisational Structure
The organisational structure of the Partnership consists of the following main elements:
- Forum (advisory group)
- Executive Group
- Programme Team (PT)
- Sectors
- Network
- Website
The Forum meets 3 - 4 times a year and is responsible for advising the Executive Group in the development of business plans and the subsequent programmes to be carried out by the Programme Team and Sector Leads. For example the Forum will identify the priority climate change issues in the SW Region for Climate SouthWest to address and methods of working. Members of the Forum are expected to be pro-active in pursuing climate change adaptation issues within the organisations which they represent and in sharing good practice with other members of the Forum. It is the aim of the Forum to be representative of a wider cross section of climate change interests in the region. Membership of the Forum will therefore be reviewed every two years in association with members of the Network.
Forum Members are listed below.
The Executive Group (being a sub-set of the Forum) is the body responsible for the strategic management and administration of the Partnership, overseeing the development of the current business plan and subsequent action plans, management of the Partnership's budget and PT. The Executive Group, generally meets on 3-4 occasions per year. Membership of the Executive Group is made up of representatives from Climate SouthWest's significant funding partners and UKCIP. Membership of the Executive Group is kept under constant review. Other members of the Forum may be invited to attend on an as needs basis, but will have no involvement in line management/contractual issues.
The Programme Team's overall role is to facilitate and support Climate SouthWest and manage the programme of work as outlined in the Business Plan, including the work for priority sectors. The Programme Team consists of one full time Project Manager and one full time Project Officer; additional project officers are appointed as appropriate to Climate SouthWest's work programme. The Project Manager reports to the Executive Group every quarter. Climate SouthWest's contact details can be found on Climate SouthWest's home page.
Sectors. Priority Sectors have been established by the Forum. The aim of the Priority Sectors is to plan and oversee projects in each of the areas agreed by the Forum, with support from the Programme Team (see sector links on top LH side of this page). Similar groups may be established to deal with cross-cutting themes, such as regional policy, and liaison with regional activity on mitigation when required. Priority Sectors will be reviewed on an 'as needs' basis as Climate SouthWest's work proceeds.
The Climate SouthWest Network consists of over 700 participating members nationwide. It is a 'virtual group' in that members do not meet regularly as one entity, other than perhaps at regional conferences on climate change. Arrangements are in place to ensure the involvement and expansion of this wide membership. Communication is by e-mail on topics of general concern and interest through an electronic newsletter, and through sector specific updates.
If you would like to subscribe to the Climate SouthWest newsletters and be a member of the network, complete the newsletter registration/subscription form on Climate SouthWest's home page and email it to Climate SouthWest.
Climate SouthWest's website is hosted on the sustainability website www.oursouthwest.com and is managed by Phil Harding of philharding.net. Phil was Climate SouthWest's Forum Chair from 2005 - 2011.
Members of the Forum
Executive Group members of the Forum :-
Richard Cresswell, Environment Agency, Climate SouthWest Chair
Mike King, Bristol Water
Neil Carrington, Ecclesiastical Insurance Group plc (representing the ABI)
Claire Warner-Blackman, The National Trust
James Diamond, Natural England
Kate Burton & Lynn Gibbons, South West Strategic Health Authority
Neil Whiter, South West Water (Sector Lead also)
Julian Dennis, Wessex Water
Alex Webb, Climate SouthWest Manager
Sector Lead members of the Forum :-
Tim Simmons, Future Foundations
Frank Chambers, Gloucestershire University/TravelWatch South West
Paul Cottington, NFU
Tony Richardson, RSPB
Emma Whittlesea, University of Plymouth/The South West Tourism Alliance
Other Forum members :-
Annette Grosvenor, Environment Agency
Felicity Liggins, Met Office
Representative from UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP)