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ARCHIVE: Working in partnership

The cross-Government Adapting to Climate Change Programme will engage a wide range of organisations and the general public in taking decisions and taking action on adaptation. The way we do this will develop and expand as the Programme develops.

On this page:

A new Partnership Board

We have established a new Partnership Board which advises government on the development of the programme.

The board brings together key organisations and groups from the public, private and third sectors, representing national, regional and local delivery partners. Its expertise covers:

  • organisations with strong scientific expertise
  • others who bring expertise in how to ensure delivery
  • communications.

The purpose of the Board  is to increase engagement in adaptation across the public, private and third sectors, and with groups that work more directly with the general public.

This will help us be more effective at the local level and ensure that communities are involved in decisions which affect them. We also want the Board to help direct our work with business.

There will also be specific opportunities for the board to be involved in the work of the Programme and to respond to consultations. For example, the Programme will be consulting on the Climate Change Risk Assessment, on the Statutory Guidance, and on the use of the Secretary of State's Reporting Power.

The Board consists of: UK Climate Impacts Programme, Met Office Hadley Centre, Health Protection Agency, Highways Agency, Water UK, Energy Networks Association, The Confederation of British Industry, The Association of British Insurers, Emergency Planning Society, Sustainable Development Commission, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, National Farmers Union, Town and Country Planning Association, National Housing Federation, Institute of Risk Managers, National Trust, NHS Confederation, Local Government Association, East England Regional Development Agency, The Trade Union Congress, National Grid, Network Rail.

Working with the third sector

The role of the third sector is vital in helping the UK to adapt to climate change. This is particularly because it works closely with the disadvantaged, poor and excluded who are likely to suffer disproportionately from the impacts of climate change both in the UK and overseas.

Third sector organisations already provide valuable public services such as advice and support to victims of flooding, care for the elderly and infirm who often struggle to cope with extreme weather, and help to protect our natural environment.

The Government will continue to work with the wide range of third sector organisations on climate change adaptation, by investing in programmes to support the sector, providing evidence and analysis and ensuring a good policy and regulatory environment for the sector.

Working with business

Climate change will present both opportunities and risks for businesses in different sectors. Exposure to impacts will vary by sector and the location in which the business operates. The Government will work with the private sector to identify issues that are important to businesses and their workforce, and those that may affect the economy overall.

Together we will ensure appropriate action can take place. The Programme will help this in particular by providing information, supporting innovation and ensuring that the workforce is appropriately skilled.

Working across the public sector

Due to the wide ranging and significant role of local government, we have established a specific project to work with local authorities across England and support their performance against the new National Indicator on adapting to climate change (NI 188).

Further information about the work across government, with departments, their executive agencies, advisory bodies and local public bodies are given in the adaptation web pages for each department.

Further information

Page last modified: 18 June 2009
Page published: 24 July 2008

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