Government unveils new Climate Adaptation Committee

Just days after the release of its shocking new climate impact report warning of the increased incidence of heatwaves, floods and droughts, the government has today announced the formation of a new Climate Adaptation Committee to provide expert independent advice on adaptation measures.

The new group is to be chaired by Oxford University's Lord John Krebs, the former chair of the British Food Standards Agency, and will act as a sub committee to the government's existing Climate Change Committee.

He will be joined by Dr Samuel Fankhauser, an economist who also sits on the full climate change committee; climate scientist Professor Martin Parry; Professor Jim Hall, an expert on flood risks and member of the Tyndall Centre; insurance industry veteran Dr Andrew Dlugolecki; former chair of the Environment Agency, Baroness Barbara Young; and chief executive of the RSPB, Graham Wynne.

The new sub-committee was welcomed by environment secretary Hilary Benn, who said it would play a "significant role" in helping to shape the government's climate change adaptation strategy.

"The recent publication of the UK Climate Projections shows how important it is for the country to prepare for the impacts of a changing climate," he said. "The founding members of the Sub-Committee are leading experts in their fields, and their knowledge will make a vital contribution to our efforts to adapt to climate change."

The climate impact report warned that average UK temperatures are expected to rise by two degrees by mid-century and up to eight degrees by the 2080s, resulting in significant increases in flood risks, water shortages and public health threats.

The government is currently working on a climate adaptation policy and has tasked over 100 public sector bodies with developing comprehensive adaptation strategies by next year, while the Environment Agency last week called for £20bn to be invested over the next 25 years to address rising flood risks.

In related news, Benn also announced today that £6m has been awarded to eight projects from the government's Greener Living Fund.

The projects are designed to promote changes in behaviour that will limit environmental impacts, such as an initiative from the Marine Stewardship Council to promote consumption of sustainable seafood and a programme from Sustrans to encourage people to stop using cars for short journeys.