Adapting to Climate Change in the Severn Estuary Area: The Corporate Response by Local Government

Abstract

Adapting to climate change is a major challenge for local governments across Europe. This is particularly true for the local governments bordering the dynamic Severn Estuary. Like elsewhere in Europe, the multiple local authorities bordering the Severn, have many functions and are in a unique position to prepare for, and adapt to, anticipated climate change impacts. This paper summarises the results of a Severn Estuary Planning Review. This evaluated local government corporate responses to climate change and reviewed related policies in the development plans of the planning bodies around the estuary. The study revealed areas of policy coherence and divergence. Despite all the local governments having signed up to national political declarations on climate change and having devised or being in the process of devising climate change strategies, the focus remains on mitigation. The limited reference to shoreline management and Integrated Coastal Zone Management poses obstacles to coordinated action, much needed on an estuary divided by administrative borders and institutional barriers. These findings suggest a need for further policy guidance to support local policy development. Whilst presenting examples of good practice, relevant to local governments elsewhere, the stocktaking procedure also has potential for application elsewhere.