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

VISITS
During the course of the study, Members of the Commission and its Secretariat made a series of
evidence-gathering visits. The Secretariat is particularly indebted to the National Trust for organising
the Gower visit, the United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union (UKREP) for
the organisation of the visit to Brussels and the Netherlands, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and Anglian
Water for their efforts in organising the visit to Hickling Broad, and Malcolm Kerby and colleagues at
the Coastal Concern Action Group for a very informative visit to Happisburgh.
December 2008, Cardiff and the Gower Peninsula. Members met representatives from the Welsh
Assembly Government, and staff from the National Trust, who escorted groups around the Gower
Peninsula. The National Trust was able to demonstrate its approach to adapting to the problems caused
by a changing climate on the Gower.
January 2009, Brussels and the Netherlands. In Brussels, Members met with representatives of
UKREP hosted by Peter Green (Counsellor for Social, Environmental and Regional Affairs) to be
briefed on adaptation in the EU. Members also attended a meeting with European Commission DG
Environment officials hosted by Peter Gammletoft (Head of Unit, Protection of Water & Marine
Environment). In the Netherlands, meetings were organised with Provincie Zuid Holland, Waterschap
Hollandse Delta and Geemente Den Haag. Members also met with representatives of the private organisation
Deltares. Members discussed water management and matters pertaining to strategic flood and
coastal defence in Holland. Members also met with Professors Frans Berkhout and Jeroen Aerts of the
Free University of Amsterdam to discuss matters of spatial planning and compensation.
January 2009, Thames Barrier. Members visited the Thames Barrier to learn about the Thames Estuary
2100 project. Discussions were had with Tim Reeder of the Environment Agency and colleagues to
understand the development and operation of the project.
February 2009, Norfolk. Members visited the River Glaven catchment, courtesy of the Environment
Agency and Anglian Water. Discussions were centred on how the two organisations work together
to solve problems associated with water management and abstraction issues in the face of climate
change. The application of the European Water Framework Directive was also discussed. Members
also visited Happisburgh to witness first hand a village threatened by coastal erosion. Members met with
Environment Agency representatives as well as representatives of the local community. To learn more
about how sea level rise might impact on biodiversity and the provision of freshwater, Members visited
Hickling Broads.
February 2009, the Met Office and the south west. Members travelled to Devon to learn more about
climate change modelling and to discover what is being done in the south west to address the challenges
of adapting to climate change. Members first met with representatives of the Environment Agency for
detailed discussions about the climate-related problems facing the south west region. Members also
attended a day of discussions about the modelling of climate with scientists at the Met Office Hadley
Centre and other experts in the field. Arrangements were also made for Members to visit the Exmoor
Mire Restoration project in Exmoor National Park. Although the weather did not permit a visit onto the
moor, Members were able to discuss how initiatives such as the peat restoration project helped to link
issues of mitigation and adaptation.
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Appendix B