Natural England

There is a strong evidence base for climate change taking place, and it represents a significant threat to the natural world. Given Natural England’s role, we are conducting research to understand the potential impacts of climate change on the natural environment and what the possible responses to these could be.

The work in the Broads is one of four projects in different areas of England to identify those impacts and possible responses. The research identifies the features of the natural environment in the Broads that are of greatest value – wildlife, landscape, access, and recreation. Natural England acknowledges that these are the assets as viewed from the environmental perspective. There are a range of other attributes and values that people who live and work in the Broads attach to the area which are not covered by our work, but which we recognise as being of great importance.

An initial draft report was prepared by Natural England in April 2008 which assessed the potential changes in climate that we will see and the impacts that these would have on the natural environment including:

• Sea level rise threatening to reduce the existing area of coastal habitats and modify the floodplain habitats;
• The frequency, penetration and duration of saline penetration increasing, reducing the capacity of natural systems to recover, and impacting the fishery and angling;
• Increases in the risk of freshwater flooding due to extreme events with potential damage to many wetland habitats;
• An increase in winter rainfall and annual temperature will increase the rate of erosion, this could compromise water quality and increase the need for waterway management;
• In addition, indirect changes in response to climate change impact the natural environment of the Broads e.g. through changes in agriculture.

The draft report looks at possible long term scenarios and short term adaptations in responding to climate change. The final report will not state a preference for any long term scenario.
The long term scenarios are described as:

1. Do nothing
2. Maintain the current line of defence
3. Minor re-alignment of the coastal line
4. Major re-alignment of the coastal line

These scenarios apply both to the coastal and inland defences. It is stressed that:

• these are long term scenarios, not proposals;
• Natural England is not the decision maker;
• Natural England believes that environmental and social solutions need to proceed in tandem;
• Adequate tools and resources are needed to enable communities to adapt to climate change.
• Natural England supports Defra and the Environment Agency's 50 year flood risk management plans for the Norfolk Broads. Natural England will continue to work closely and constructively with both Defra and the Environment Agency.

Next steps

Natural England expects to release the final version of the report about the potential impact of climate change on the Broads later this year. We continue to work closely with stakeholders to share understanding on this subject. This includes ongoing contact with representatives of local communities in the Broads area.

Other documents which may be of interest:

Open letter from Shaun Thomas, Natural England's Regional Director, East of England [14.7 kb]

Environment Agency and Natural England joint press release 23 June 2008 [29.6 kb]

Natural England Media Briefing July 2008 [32.1 kb]

Defra statement on Norfolk Broads [21.1 kb]

Other links which may be of interest:

Environment Agency

Environment Agency - Essex Estuarine Strategies

North Norfolk Coast Coastal Habitat Management Plan (Final Report)

Suffolk Coast and Estuaries Coastal Habitat Management Plan (Final Report)

Defra - Shoreline Management Plans

Enquiries and further information:

If you have any further enquiries please contact:
Victoria Perry on 01223 5333423 or email: victoria.k.perry@naturalengland.org.uk

Press enquires please contact:
Linzee Kottman on: 01223 533431 mobile: 07824 475359 email: linzee.j.kottman@naturalengland.org.uk or;
Heather McMorland on 01733 455080 mobile: 07919 228388 email: heather.mcmorland@naturalengland.org.uk