Memorandum submitted by England's Regional
Development Agencies
INTRODUCTION
The East of England Development Agency are responding
on behalf of the RDA network in light of our lead role on Defra
issues.
This response also highlights the range of work that
RDAs are undertaking on the climate change adaptation agenda (see
Annex 1 attached)[25]
and also sets out examples of RDA work on a low carbon economy
and business and development (including retrofitting) (see Annex
2 below),[26]
for your information.
ROLE OF
THE RDAS
1. As experts on our regional economies,
the RDAs recognise the importance of preparing for the resilient
implications as well as the business opportunities that climate
change will bring. For many years, The RDAs have been working
hard with our national and regional partners on tackling climate
change and would emphasise the importance of having a regional
overview of climate change adaptation activity. The RDAs are currently
working with Government on the New Industry New Jobs agenda
helping to identify and prepare for greater investment in
emerging sectors (including low-carbon buildings) to drive the
economy out of recession.
2. The RDAs have 10 years experience of developing
regional strategies and believe that the single regional strategies
should be the main strategy for addressing climate change adaptation.
For example, Yorkshire Forward and Local Government for Yorkshire
and Humber are currently taking joint responsibility for the development
of the region's Integrated Regional Strategy (IRS) where
climate change adaptation is being addressed within the Climate
Change and Environmental Resources work stream.
3. All RDAs undertake a variety of activities.
These include supporting and working with regional climate change
partnerships; developing innovative research and regional intelligence;
regenerating places with sustainable design and construction at
the core; linking researchers with businesses to develop new products;
supporting businesses to develop innovative technologies to help
with climate change adaptation (CCA); and ensuring businesses
receive the right support to help them adapt to new risks and
threats.
WHAT RDAS
NEED FROM
GOVERNMENT
4. RDAs welcome the inclusion of a strong
regional dimension to the national Climate Change Risk Assessment
and are working very closely with Defra on this. By building
on the findings of the UK Climate Projections and regional work
that has already been undertaken, this work will provide us with
valuable evidence that can be used to make further progress at
both the regional and national levels.
5. Support and training will be a key influence
on how well businesses engage with adaptation. The current Defra-led
Projections in Practice events being held in each region are already
highlighting that more attention needs to be given to training
and capacity building for key professions.
6. In our view, climate change adaption
issues are still dominated by terminology which does little to
engage people and communicate the key messages. In addition, the
probabilistic projections need to become more user-friendly to
help improve understanding and facilitate action.
7. More effective communication across businesses
is also needed. A useful approach to consider, for example, could
be for some of the larger and more aware businesses to help engage
SMEs. Increased emphasis and support that would enable businesses
to assist each other is likely to be more productive than Government/Local
Government telling businesses how and why to adapt. As the RDAs
play a key role in delivering business support, we would welcome
further discussions to help address this issue.
5 October 2009
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