A Perfect Storm: Is Wales doing enough to co-ordinate action and engage communities in adapting our infrastructure to a changing climate? highlights the issues faced by infrastructure providers and communities in engaging with, and responding to, the impacts of climate change.
Our report draws upon individual research, commissioned by NICW, which initially investigated these issues:
- Engaging diverse place-based communities in climate adaptation conversations and the impacts on infrastructure – SOIF
- Climate Change Projections, Realities and Infrastructure Resilience – Arup
Following our work in Grangetown with SOIF, we have also produced a toolkit for engaging communities on climate change:
- Toolkit: Engaging Diverse Communities in Climate Adaptation – SOIF – Web Version
- Toolkit: Engaging Diverse Communities in Climate Adaptation – SOIF – PDF Version
The information in the research reports has been supplemented by insight gained from NICW engaging with other interested parties and communities directly.
The report fulfils part of NICW’s remit to analyse, advise and make recommendations to the Welsh Government on Wales’ longer term strategic economic and environmental infrastructure needs over a 5–80-year period.
The report contains NICWs recommendations to Welsh Ministers on how changes can be made to the current climate change adaptation and engagement framework in Wales. It is expected that the Welsh Government will respond ‘in due course’ to the Commission’s recommendations.
A summary of our recommendations
A Climate Adaptation Framework
1. Climate Adaptation Bill
In the next Senedd term, the Welsh Government should introduce a Climate Adaptation Bill which should sent legally binding targets for climate adaptation and create a framework for action and change.
2. National Infrastructure Resilience Unit
The Welsh Government should establish a National Infrastructure Resilience Unit, with an associated Welsh Climate Adaptation Liaison Forum, to address the unclear ownership of the systemic risks of climate change.
Rolling Out Effective Engagement in Wales
3. Engagement with Communities
Early, inclusive and participatory engagement should be undertaken with all communities on climate adaptation strategies and plans.
4. Chief Participation Officer
By 2028, the Welsh Government should create the position of Chief Participation Officer. This role will lead across government to improve how citizens are involved in decisions.
Improving the Planning System
5. Statutory Guidance for Community Engagement
In the next Senedd period, the Planning Acts should be amended to require the production of statutory guidance requirement meaningful community engagement at all stages of the planning system.
6. Review Planning Policy Wales and new Technical Advice Note
By 2028, the Welsh Government should review PPW to ensure climate adaptation is addressed throughout. A TAN on Climate Adaptation should also be produced.
7. Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment
By 2028, secondary legislation and guidance should be amended for climate adaptation to be specifically part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) processes.
Infrastructure Project Assessment
8. Green Book Amendments
The UK Government should amend the ‘Green Book’ to give equal weighting to climate adaptation when assessing new infrastructure projects.
Climate Futures Hub
9. Establish a Climate Futures Hub
In the next Senedd term, the Welsh Government should establish a ‘Climate Futures Hub’ as a centre of excellence and support for engaging communities in long-term infrastructure and climate adaptation planning.
Funding
10. Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Fund
We repeat our 2024 flooding report recommendation for a new cross-sector climate change and adaptation resilience fund.
Data
11. Data Platforms
Within the Climate Futures Hub, or separately, the Welsh Government should provide, or otherwise facilitate platforms for a Welsh climate data and intelligence body, community accessible climate intelligence and regional climate data commons for professionals.
Cross Border Issues
12. Intergovernmental Co-ordination
The Welsh Government should advocate for greater inter-Government co-ordination and representation across the UK on infrastructure resilience.