5 Conclusion
92. Until 2008, the Government focused its climate
change policy on mitigation. The Climate Change Act 2008 and the
work of the cross-government Adapting to Climate Change Programme
has raised the profile of adaptation in government. It is, however,
too early to tell if the new policy framework will deliver the
urgent programme of action that is required throughout the public
sector and private sector. Unlike mitigation of climate change,
the need for action on adaptation is not widely understood. The
Government must raise awareness and improve the support that is
available to organisations and the general public.
93. The Government has rightly linked adaptation
to the wider sustainable development agenda. To help build awareness
and support for adaptation, the Government must establish clear
objectives and metrics. These should provide a view of what a
well-adapting country would look like, and a framework for assessing
the progress the country is making. The Government should make
clear that adaptation is necessary to protect people, property
and prosperity, and safeguard the natural environment.
94. The Government must demonstrate leadership on
adaptation. Given the scale and breadth of the adaptation challenge
all departments should identify and manage climate change risks
more clearly. For their main policies and programmes, departments
must establish a clear view of the climate change risks they face
and decide what risks to accept and what risks to reduce through
action. Some of the most difficult impacts the UK faces arise
from the knock-on effects of climate change in other parts of
the world, which could threaten food security and increase migration.
The Government is right to help developing countries to address
climate change impacts.
95. Adapting to climate change requires changes in
behaviour and systems as well as investment in infrastructure.
New sources of funding and resources are needed. Options include
encouraging and enabling local communities to support adaptation
schemes by localising decision making, and requiring developers
to make greater contributions to the resilience of communities.
96. Adaptation is not an alternative to mitigation.
There are limits to the level of climate change the country can
adapt to without major damage to the environment, society and
the economy. The Government must promote urgent action on adaptation,
whilst maintaining its efforts to control emissions and thus improve
our chances of avoiding the worst impacts of climate change.
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