UN INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE

(IPCC) 

‘Scientists expect a warming world to lead to more extreme rainfall.

The UK will receive about 10 per cent more rainfall on average per year by 2100

September 2014

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‘Rising sea level due to climate change makes storm surges bigger and more likely to breach coastal defences.’

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UK DEFRA – FLOODS & COASTAL EROSION

‘On average, annual damage to properties and their contents due to river and tidal flooding in the UK currently totals around £1.3 billion.’

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THE UK CLIMATE RISK ASSESSMENT (CCRA)

2017 EVIDENCE REPORT

(CCRA)

The UK Climate Risk Assessment 2017 Evidence Report identified coastal change alongside flooding in general,

as one of the most urgent climate change risks facing England.

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Coastal ‘steepening’ is already taking place at West Wittering and East Head.

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NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK

The NPPF states that areas likely to be affected by physical changes to the coast should be identified as Coastal Change Management Area and the authority should be clear as to what development will be appropriate in such areas.

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The NPPF outlines that Planning authorities should adopt proactive strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

There is no insurance or compensation for losses from coastal erosion or home owners to mitigate the risk of losing their properties.

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CDC are committed to Climate Change policy.

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CDC ACTION PLAN AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Chichester District Council - 2019-2025

‘Following the announcement of a Climate Emergency in a Cabinet meeting in Summer 2019, the council's Environment Panel have developed an initial action plan. This plan sets out a carbon reduction target of 10% year on year until 2025 within the Chichester District.

The plan also outlines key actions that can be taken by the council in order to help address climate change, including:

‘the delivery of measurable carbon reduction in new developments and through the council's own operations’ and ‘promoting sustainable transport’.

CDC is right to recognise that it has a responsibility to future generations in tackling climate change and appointing a climate change officer.

However it does not address the necessity to adopt a strategy for managing the increasing flood risks it faces.

It should create new designated wetland meadows to provide flood buffer zones to protect existing communities.

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• Wetlands are well researched as excellent carbon sinks.

• Tree planting on the Manhood Peninsula to absorb both water and carbon emissions.

• Reducing speeds on the A27 especially at all the roundabouts would lower emissions and reduce accidents.

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It should persuade the government to create a new A27 express highway hidden in the landscape north of the city.

This would alleviate the grid lock when events are held at Goodwood.

It could also:

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• have wide wooded embankments which would absorb traffic emissions and noise;

• have huge green bridges to connect wildlife from the Harbour to the SDNP;

• It would free up capacity on the existing A27 and help create sustainable transport systems with more pedestrian crossings, footpaths and cycling lanes.

We must encourage CDC to have both vision and boldness in helping to create a resilience to all these threats and safeguard this very special, fragile area for future generations.

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DEFRA – A VISION FOR ENGLAND 2050 - MISSION 2020

‘Our mission is to halt overall biodiversity loss, support healthy and well-functioning ecosystems and establish coherent ecological networks, with more and better places for nature for the benefit of wildlife and people.’

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RATIONAL

Professor Sir John Lawton CBE FRS, concluded that ‘England’s collection of wildlife areas (both legally and protected areas) does not currently represent a coherent and resilient network that would be capable of responding to the challenges of climate change and other pressures.’

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