In the near future households located with areas prone to high risk of flooding will be better protected against increasing insurance costs through Flood Re. Flood Re has come one step closer to implementation after the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and Flood Re agreed in December 2014 how the scheme will operate, enabling legislation
National News
Scotland’s draft National Marine Plan laid before Parliament
by NWCF on December 30, 2014
On the 11th December 2014 the draft National Marine Plan for Scottish waters was submitted to Scottish Parliament. The plan will be critically examined during a 40 day period by parliament and Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee (RACCE). The plan covers Scotland’s inshore and offshore waters, with the primary aim to manage human
Treasury to help fund 1400 flood defence projects in England
by NWCF on December 11, 2014
The Treasury plans to help fund 1400 flood defence projects across England over the next six years. The Treasury will spend a £2.3 billion budget on flood defence infrastructure for 300,000 homes. Areas vulnerable to flooding such as the Thames Estuary, Humber Estuary and Somerset will be targeted for major investment to reduce the impacts of
Royal Society publishes ‘Resilience to extreme weather’ report
by NWCF on December 11, 2014
The Royal Society has published a report entitled “Resilience to extreme weather”. The report examines how we reduce the impacts of extreme weather events and how prepared we are for future climate change. Climate-related extreme events such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves are documented in relation to human resilience. International agreements will be reached to
Wave Energy Scotland – A new governmental body promoting offshore energy
by NWCF on December 4, 2014
The Scottish Government has announced it is to creat a new new wave energy technology development body – Wave Energy Scotland. It will bring together expertise from engineering and academia to collaborate on innovative projects to accelerate the development of wave technology. Scottish waters offer the majority of the UK’s wave resources – potentially 46 TWh/year. For more
NRW produces new evidence report – Welsh Coastal Storms, December 2013 & January 2014.
by NWCF on December 3, 2014
National Resource Wales (NRW) has recently produced an evidence report entitled “Welsh Coastal Storms, December 2013 & January 2014 – An assessment of environmental change”. The report is based on an environmental audit conducted by NRW to assess the impacts of last winter’s high tide/storm surge events on wildlife and coastal conservation sites in Wales.
Green Alliance publishes ‘UK offshore wind in the 2020s’ report – 2014
by NWCF on December 3, 2014
Green Alliance has recently published a report entitled ‘UK offshore wind in the 2020s’. Targets to reduce carbon emissions from the generation of electricity will increase opportunities for offshore wind projects in the future. The report reviews the future difficulties and potential prospects for offshore wind projects in the UK. The report also presents a
BMAPA publishes its 8th Annual Sustainable Development Report 2013 – ‘Strength from the Depths’
by NWCF on December 3, 2014
Marine aggregate activity occupies a small proportion of the UK’s continental shelf for the construction industry. There is a responsibility for operators to manage their licensed areas and adopt sustainable extraction practices. The British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) published a sustainable development strategy to provide a framework for operators to follow. Following the strategy
Know Your Flood Risk Campaign produces ‘Homeowners Guide to Flood Resilience’ document
by NWCF on November 24, 2014
Know Your Flood Risk Campaign is a partnership based initiative set up to help initiate and facilitate flood risk management. Flooding poses the largest natural threat to the UK. With the help of technical experts, the campaign has produced a structured report called “Homeowners Guide to Flood Resilience” which documents various ways in which homes can
Strategic Flood Risk Management – a National Audit Office report
by NWCF on November 24, 2014
The National Audit Office (NAO) has published a report called “Strategic Flood Risk Management” which highlights the vulnerability of coastal and mainland flooding in the UK. The report also studies the sustainability of existing funding opportunities and reviews current flood risk management practices in the UK. The report is a follow on from the previous 2011 report which