London scoping - ukcip

Final Report
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Local meetings are held regularly with Emergency Planning Officers from the local authorities
to discuss specific issues relating to flood risk areas. Exercises are held each year for those
agencies responding to flooding emergencies. These exercises provide the opportunity to
review and confirm procedures based on flooding scenarios. A close relationship is maintained
between the EA and its professional partners through joint public awareness initiatives, local
flooding workshops and regular emergency planning meetings. The last update of the London
Flood Warning Plan was two years ago and an updated version is being produced. The Plan is
reviewed annually and will be updated as appropriate in future based on the impact of climate
change.
The legislation and funding of local emergency planning is currently being reviewed by the
Home Office/Cabinet Office, with a view to ensuring that responses to all emergencies,
including flooding, are fast and effective. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (formerly
DTLR) is also reviewing the Bellwin Scheme which is a means for local authorities to obtain
financial assistance in clearing up immediately after a local disaster or emergency. Adaptations
were made to the system in October 2000 in recognition of the exceptionally high number of
flooding incidents requiring activation of the scheme. A review group has been set up to take
full account of the operation of the scheme following the autumn 2000 floods. As part of this
general review of funding, the GLA and London local authorities should assess the possible
impacts of climate related emergencies on funding requirements.
6.16.3 Temperature Change Impacts
Certain impacts of climate change have potentially major implications for the emergency
services. The agencies involved include the fire service, police, local authorities, health services
and the Environment Agency. An increased risk of fire from drier, hotter conditions may require
action by the London Fire Brigade.
In addition to the direct threat to the safety of individuals and their property from floods and
extreme winds and so on, there is also the risk that disruption might render some systems more
susceptible to crime. (Looting of shops has accompanied natural disasters such as earthquakes
in some cities in the USA). The possible increase in crime from more open doors and windows
in a hotter climate has already been discussed under housing. There is some evidence of a
relationship between hotter weather and traffic accidents, but the data is not very applicable to
the situation in London.
There have been several controversial theories in the past which have linked unusually hot
weather with more risk of public disorder. The most extreme idea of ‘weather determinism’,
suggested that hot weather events could actually produce public disorder, though most
commentators have discredited such ideas which fail to take account of the underlying structural
and economic reasons why discontent exists (Shackley & Wynne 1994). A more moderate
suggestion is that exceptionally hot and humid weather would be more likely to encourage
certain types of anti-social behaviour amongst certain individuals who were already predisposed
to such behaviour patterns. However, adaptation and acclimatisation is likely to occur,
judging on the record of other societies which already exist in hotter climates. Underlying
socio-economic, cultural and political conditions are widely considered to be much more
important determinants of crime and disorder.