Thread by @BDavisBriz

Looking forward to what should be an interesting and timely speech from @EnvAgency's Sir James Bevan on the current and present challenges faced by UK due to #ClimateChange & how to build future resilience #IfGClimate

https://twitter.com/instituteforgov/status/1597515155570507782

Opening his speech @JamesBevanEA stresses that he believes that "climate change is real" and "is the biggest threat we face". However, he acknowledges that it is often described in "overly-technical language" which can make it inaccessible to the general public #IfGClimate

Bevan cites #COP27 stats showing climate-related disasters have doubled in the last 20 years globally. Notes that 🇬🇧 has seen 4,000 heat related deaths since 2018, drought threatens our water supply this year & next, & 1-in-💯 year flood events now occur annually #IfGClimate

However, despite this, Bevan describes himself as a "climate optimist". Says we know what the problem is (greenhouse gases) and the solutions (reducing emissions & reshaping infrastructure/economy) so our story "can have a happy ending" #IfGClimate

On mitigation, Bevan notes we are seeing action "at international, national, local and personal level". While international action is "not perfect" or moving as quickly as Bevan would like, he stresses that the COP process is essential to saving the planet #IfGClimate

On the national level, Bevan welcomes the fact that the 🇬🇧 is a "global leader" in delivering on Net Zero. Highlights the role that the Environment Agency plays in helping reduce greenhouse emissions, including EA's own commitment to be Net Zero org by 2030 #IfGClimate

Next, Bevan moves on to adaptation, which he describes as the "Cinderella of the climate piece". While Paris 2015 created a global adaptation goal, Bevan says it has "largely been ignored compared to mitigation". #IfGClimate

Bevan warns that, unless we increase adaption, we will see the "Ugly Sisters" of negative effects on soil health, water quality, mental health and infrastructure from climate change. Notes that delaying action makes the bill higher #IfGClimate

Looking at the 🇬🇧, Bevan says that, without action, the cost of adaptation would increase 27% by 2040 and 40% by 2080. Says this is unfair to future generations, particularly with the aftermath of the current #CostOfLiving crisis #IfGClimate

However, Bevan is hopeful for the future. Notes the 🇬🇧 is showing leadership - increasing #ForeignAid for projects aimed at climate adaption & working with EA to produce a 5-year National Adaptation Programme to adapt to the effects of climate locally #IfGClimate

Bevan says that this NAP needs to be "the most ambitious yet". Calls on all delegates to contribute to the shaping of the programme - noting that no public or private organisation will be immune from the effects of climate change #IfGClimate

On the costs, Bevan says that adaptation "provides very good value for money", noting that every £1 spent leads to £10 saved in terms of damages. He also highlights that Govt will not be able to fund everything, so private capital is needed for investment & innovation #IfGClimate

Bevan highlights the EA's role in adaption. Notes its role in flooding, saying all delegates in the room are currently being protected by the EA-owned Thames Barrier #IfGClimate

On drought, Bevan says it is working with water companies & Govt to ensure we are investing in resilience in order to ensure that we are water secure in the years to come #IfGClimate

Bevan also notes the EA's role in planning and placemaking, working with local authorities and planners to create more environmentally resilient communities, for the betterment of people and wildlife #IfGClimate

Finally, Bevan talks about the work EA does "to protect life and limb", noting its partnerships with police and other blue light services in the event of an emergency such as extreme flooding #IfGClimate

Bevan concludes his speech by saying mitigation and adaptation "need to go hand-in-hand" if we are to successfully learn to live with a changing climate. Says the best interventions "will do both things at the same time" #IfGClimate

Giving an example, Bevan says the EA prefers #NatureBasedSolutions, such as tree planting which reduces flood risk, cool local atmosphere, improve biodiversity & are a climate sink #IfGClimate

Bevan closes quoting 🇧🇧s PM Mia Mottley COP26 speech "our world stands at a fork in the road, facing the greatest challenge since 🇺🇳's founding. Most of our countries did not exist back then but we want to act on climate change so we are here in 💯 years"

Bevan agrees with Mottley's sentiments, saying that we all need to act to ensure our survival in the next hundered years and beyond #IfGClimate

The webinar now turns to a Q&A session #IfGClimate

First Q on UKCCC saying "adaptation has gone backwards" & why he thinks that is, Bevan highlights that UKCCC noted EA's success in promoting flood defences. Also believes adaption is "harder & more amorphous" so is harder to quantify #IfGClimate

The fact adaption focuses on "everything and everyone", it also makes it harder to decide who is ultimately responsible. Govts need to bring in the public, businesses & other stakeholders, so often slower to progress #IfGClimate

Bevan also believes adaption is "a more positive story" than mitigation. Mitigation is "making the world less bad", adaptation can "make the world better than it already is" #IfGClimate

On whether he believes Govt & Civil Servants "have wrapped their heads around adaptation", Bevan believes that we are increasingly seeing cross-party leadership on adaptation, but we now need targets & a mechanism for monitoring progress #IfGClimate

Bevan is positive that we can achieve this as the UK is historically "very good at building the machinery of government" through Cabinet Committees & working with civil servants. Also believes there is growing voter support #IfGClimate

Asked on NIC's report on groundwater flooding & need for a growing role for EA. Bevan describes EA's current roles in flooding. Notes 1 in 6 UK homes at risk of flooding, with surface water being the greatest risk #IfGClimate

Bevan notes that it is Local Authorities rather than EA that is the lead authority for groundwater flooding incidences. While he welcomes NIC call for a greater role for the EA, which would require additional resources, he would rather LAs remained the lead authoirty #IfGClimate

Bevan says this is because LAs will understand their local geographies better than EA. Also notes LAs have a role in planning, particularly ensuring SuDS are put in place in housing developments to manage flood risk #IfGClimate

Next Q is on how to protect EA core capabilities in the public spending review. Bevan says EA is that it is seeing increased demands on its services. He welcomes the current increased funding for EA, but says the challenge will be whether capacity keeps up with demand #IfGClimate

Bevan stresses "we can do more with more", notes while Govt grants have always been "under pressure", EA also has another income stream from the people it regulates (eg water companies pay EA to ensure they are compliant with the law) #IfGClimate

Bevan welcomes the "polluter pays" principle for funding of EA. While there is some "public good" in having a good environment so public taxes should fund some EA costs, there is an argument to be made that polluters should pay more to fund actions to stop polluting #IfGClimate

On the pros & cons of the EA being an "arms length" body, Bevan explains EA's legal entity. Says much of EA's decisions are legal in nature, so it is right that an independent body, rather than a politician, is making those decisions #IfGClimate

Bevan notes the EA gets flack "from both sides" for its decision (eNGOs for not going far enough, businesses for being too restrictive) - the fact EA can make tough decisions without worrying about elections is "the right thing" #IfGClimate

Next Q is on which issue he would prioritise, Bevan says that more needs to be done to educate the public on the pressing need of climate action & encourage joined up interventions to change their own behaviour & hold Govts to account #IfGClimate

When asked what "good" adaptation looks like, Bevan gives examples of projects innovating - including circular economy initiatives recycling hazardous waste #IfGClimate

On whether Defra or EA should "own" adaptation, Bevan says strong political leadership & clear mechanisms for delivery are the most important. Says there is a debate on whether current split of responsibilities is the right one #IfGClimate

On the need for "professionalising" flood assessments, Bevan agrees there are "poor decisions" being made at the local level. While EA has high intervention success rate, he agrees there is a need for greater support decision-makers either upskilling or engagement #IfGClimate

When asked how to support businesses to adopt climate change as the "status quo", Bevan argues that this is already happening. Gives example of a water company boss embracing Net Zero as "if he doesn't have clean water, he doesn't have a business" #IfGClimate

On why the EA doesn't take "stronger decisions", Bevan says there is a balance - while the EA has a responsibility to protect nature, it also has a responsibility to deliver inclusive & sustainable growth, which will require empowering communities to "manage risk" #IfGClimate

On the impact of #Brexit on the work of the EA, Bevan says it is "both a risk & an opportunity". Bevan believes there is an opportunity "to create better outcomes for the environment". For example, some 🇪🇺 law such as Water Framework Directive is "suboptimal" #IfGClimate

While WFD was "largely written by British experts" and has made notable differences to the health of or rivers and oceans, some of the legislation "forces regulators to focus on areas where they will not make the biggest impact" #IfGClimate

On whether all 🇪🇺 legislation can properly reviewed by the end of 2023, Bevan notes Defra has the highest proportion of 🇪🇺 legacy law. While "anything is possible" with political will, Bevan calls on "time to be taken to review things properly" #IfGClimate

On what lessons EA has learned from #Coronavirus pandemic in terms of speeding up delivery, Bevan stresses that climate change needs action at all levels, from global to personal & agrees more needs to be done to speed up delivery #IfGClimate

Next Q is on the role of #Whistleblowers. Bevan says whistleblowing shows the importance of ordinary people taking action. Welcomes organisations, including EA, for having increasingly robust whistleblowing policies #IfGClimate

Final Q is on mass crustaceans die-offs in #Teeside & whether it is due to dredging for the #Freeport. Bevan says there is "no clear evidence" for any one cause, but EA will work with Govt to "follow the evidence" for its cause #IfGClimate

Really interesting discussion on the work of the EA & what more can be done to speed up delivery of climate change mitigation & adaption. Thanks to @JamesBevanEA for your insights, to @DrHannahWhite for chairing & @instituteforgov/@ifgevents for hosting! #IfGClimate

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