Twenty-eighth Report Adapting Institutions to Climate Change Cm ...

5.34
5.35
5.36
5.37
Two of our earlier recommendations are of clear relevance to the planning system. An ‘adaptation
test’ (5.13) should be integrated into all relevant stages of the planning process. Similarly, the
introduction of an adaptation duty on all public bodies (5.21) would greatly strengthen the place
of adaptation within planning policy.
The commitment of local politicians to adaptation to climate change (Box 4C), and their recognition
of the importance of the task, is mixed. Given that the process of development control is very
often subject to competing pressures and objectives, awareness of the significance of adaptation
is crucial if it is to be adequately taken into account and adequately prioritised.
There is also the possibility that bodies such as Local Strategic Partnerships (3.24-3.25)
can help set the high-level policy and raise awareness of the need to include adaptation in
development planning.
The planning system is subject to a large number of legislative and policy obligations in respect
of adaptation to climate change, as discussed in Chapter 3. Although the Committee on Climate
Change is a statutory consultee on National Policy Statements under the Planning Act 2008, there
are no other explicit links between the Committee and the planning system. Such links would
facilitate learning and capacity building. The Commission recommends that the Adaptation
Sub-Committee should scrutinise planning policy guidance to assess and advise on the
recognition within spatial planning of the importance of adapting to climate change.
The Sub-Committee should also scrutinise the activities of the Infrastructure Planning
Commission in the context of adaptation to climate change.
LESSONS FROM THE EXEMPLARS
5.38 The Commission identified a number of shortcomings in existing policy frameworks as a result
of its analysis of the three exemplar areas. Some illustrate broader challenges which must be
addressed if policy frameworks are to facilitate and not hinder adaptation. We highlight below a
number of steps to confront these challenges.
5.39 Review and where necessary revise the ‘missions’ of organisations:
It is essential that adaptation is
firmly embedded in the key missions or duties of organisations, and that it is accorded a sufficiently
high priority alongside other important goals. To this end it is crucial that organisations review
their own key missions from an adaptation perspective and where necessary revise them.
5.40
5.41
For example, in Chapter 4 (4.55) we noted that whilst economic regulation of water services
is required to contribute to or to have regard to sustainable development, it gives priority to
consumer interests and to the sustainability of water utilities. The Commission recommends
that organisations, including those subject to statutory duties, review and where necessary
revise their mission and objectives from an adaptation perspective. For priority reporting
authorities, the Adaptation Sub-Committee should scrutinise these reviews, and where
necessary recommend revisions to their mission and objectives.
Scrutinise new and existing legislative frameworks and implementing measures to ensure
flexibility: Flexible policy frameworks enhance the ability of organisations to respond to the
challenge of climate change adaptation. We saw this in relation to the EU Water Framework
101
Chapter 5