London scoping - ukcip

7.10 Public Administration
Final Report
190
7.10.1 Context
It is estimated that 19% (600,000) of the labour force in London are currently employed in
public administration. The structure and content of the work of public administration is led
by the elected political representatives at local, regional, national and EU level. The sector is
therefore important as an employer, and in determining patterns of economic and social
development in the city.
London’s local authorities have a key role as community leaders and service providers. Many
have already started to address climate change issues in their Unitary Development Plans as
well in their community and Local Agenda 21 strategies. They have a key statutory role in
implementing strategies in a number of areas affected by climate change such as housing,
transport and environment. Many local authorities are committed to working with their
communities as well as stakeholders including other public sector agencies and business to
assess the potential effects of climate change and identify ways in which local authorities can
adapt to climate change.
The chief potential impacts identified by public administration stakeholders consulted during
this study, including the Government of London, GLA and local authorities etc. were:
possible consequences for the supply of a well-educated labour force for senior
positions;
the need to incorporate more thoroughly the potential economic and social
impacts of climate change in sector development strategies, and their
operationalisation.
7.10.2 Impacts Due to General Climate Change
Possible general consequences of climate change on the attractiveness of London as a place to
live and work have been described in detail elsewhere in this report. The stakeholders from
the public administration sector specifically suggested that the move towards relocation from
the city by parts of the public administration workforce may be significant - primarily as a
result of the perceived heat island effect. This relocation may be accompanied by a shift to
other sectors from those parts of the workforce with more transferable skills, and an increase
in tele-working and consequent fall in commuter journeys.
The move towards greater inclusion of potential climate change impacts - and associated
adaptation measures - in public policy design was identified by stakeholders as the general
increase in awareness of environmental issues.
7.10.3 Socio-Economic Scenario Differences
A greater awareness of environmental values that characterises the RS scenario will
exacerbate the impacts identified above for public administration. In particular, this
awareness relating to climate change will result in an increased slant towards the content of
public administration taking on environmental considerations to a greater degree than at
present. An opposite effect might be expected under the GM scenario.