Blog: Harnessing Nature for Climate Resilience
In the face of escalating climate change, the UK stands at the forefront of the global challenge to adapt to the increasing frequency and severity of flooding events. As the UK's climate continues to shift, with more intense rainfall and rising sea levels becoming the norm, the interconnected issues of climate adaptation and flooding have never been more pressing.
This blog delves into the critical aspects of these challenges, exploring the implications for infrastructure, economy, community resilience, and nature-based strategies that can be implemented to mitigate the risks and impacts of flooding.
What will we see if we don’t adapt?
Increased Risk of Flooding
Climate change has made devastating events, such as Storm Babet last October, 59% more likely, according to research conducted by Oxford University and the Royal Meteorological Institute. The Met Office forecasts that intense rainfall associated with severe flash flooding could become almost five times more likely by the end of this century.
The UK’s first Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) in 2012, found that increased river flow resulting from extreme rainfall, plus sea level rise, will increase flood risk. An estimated 1.8 million people are living in areas of the UK that are at significant risk of coastal, surface, or river flooding. This population is projected to rise to 2.6 million by the 2050s under a 2°C scenario and 3.3 million under a 4°C scenario, assuming a continuation of current levels of adaptation and a low population growth.
More recently, England has experienced record-breaking rainfall over the past 18 months (leading up to March 2024). This is the highest level of rainfall for any 18-month period in England since comparable data began in 1836, and has likely contributed to ongoing challenges in flooding and water management across the country.
Sea Level Rise and the Thames Barrier
Along the English Channel coast, the sea level has already risen by about 12cm in the last 100 years. With the warming we are already committed to over the next few decades, we can expect a further 11-16cm of sea level rise by 2030, equating to 23-27cm of total sea level rise since 1900.
In 2014, the Thames Barrier closed 48 times before the middle of March – a record for a single year. Some 1.3 million people live in the Thames tidal floodplain and are therefore vulnerable to flooding if current defences were to fail or were overtaken by climate-induced sea level rise; £275bn worth of property is also at risk.
Impact on Infrastructure and Economy
Flooding poses a risk to vital infrastructure such as roads, fresh water supplies, sewage treatment plants, hospitals, schools, and energy supplies, and the risk is projected to rise. By the 2080s, up to 1,800 schools could be exposed to ‘significant likelihood’ of flooding.
Additionally, during the 2020s, 35,000 hectares of high-quality horticultural and arable land are likely to be flooded at least once every three years. By the 2080s this will reach 130,000 hectares of high-quality land – an area larger than Greater Manchester.
Last month, Network Rail announced a significant strategic investment of £45.4 billion over the next five years focusing on climate adaptation and resilience on its network. This investment is part of a broader effort to address the challenges posed by climate change, including extreme weather conditions like flooding and their impacts on infrastructure.
Economic Damages
Flood damage currently costs the UK around £1.3 billion each year according to ECIU; the total economic damages for England from the winter 2015 to 2016 floods were estimated to around £1.6 billion, with 32% of total damages occurring to the business sector.
Health Impacts
Flooding also has an impact on human health, including mental health. Research found that people who experience extreme weather events such as storms or flooding are 50% more likely to suffer from mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
Ongoing Government Strategy
In July 2020, the Government and Environment Agency announced a new £5.2 billion flood prevention and coastal management strategy to be brought in over the next 10 years, including protection of 336,000 properties in England by 2027. The plan was generally welcomed positively, but the National Infrastructure Commission warned that more may need to be done.
How can nature help us find a solution?
In the UK, the recognition of the critical role nature-based solutions (NbS) plays in mitigating the impacts of flooding is gaining momentum. These solutions, which harness the natural resilience of ecosystems, offer a sustainable and cost-effective approach to flood protection and adaptation.
The UK Government's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has allocated £25 million to support 40 projects that increase flood resilience as part of the Natural Flood Management Programme.
Here are some examples of NbS for rivers, streams, and coastal areas that help mitigate flooding and its effects:
Constructing Swales and Wetlands
Swales and wetlands help water retention in the soil, reducing the risk of flooding by slowing down the flow of rainwater into streams and rivers while also providing habitat for wildlife and contributing to biodiversity.
The Lower Ure Conservation Trust recently completed its Swale & Ure Washlands project in 2022, which created new wetland habitat to help seasonal flooding measures and provide for nature.
Improving Soil Cover
Planting trees and hedges can increase water absorption, catch rainfall, and slow down surface water run-off. This not only helps in reducing flood risks but also improves soil cover, reducing water pollution and run-off.
Creating Leaky Barriers
Leaky barriers, such as permeable pavements and green roofs, can slow water flow in streams and ditches, reducing the risk of flooding in urban areas. Many cities in the UK have already seen the implementation of solutions like permeable pavements such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester.
Leaky dam projects will soon receive funding from Defra in areas such as Crompton Moor and Hockley woods, whereas Surrey Hills has already seen success with a similar project as part of the Surrey Hills Forest Plan.
Restoring Saltmarshes, Mudflats, and Peat Bogs
Saltmarshes, mudflats, and peat bogs are natural habitats that play a crucial role in reducing flooding from tidal waters on the coast. They act as natural barriers, absorbing excess water and reducing the risk of flooding.
The Levington saltmarsh restoration project in Suffolk involved moving dredged material by fixed pipes to an area where the saltmarsh had degraded and fragmented, with the ends of the pipes moved each year to change where the dredged material goes. In Wales, the Hymney Great Wharf utilised polders to regenerate mudflats and increase protection to the wharf scarp.
What will help us implement nature-based solutions?
Raising Awareness
To enhance the visibility and adoption of NbS, a comprehensive approach is essential. This includes leveraging educational campaigns, media engagement, policy advocacy, community workshops, online platforms, partnerships with NGOs, case studies, collaboration with local governments, and public awareness events. The aim of these strategies is to help showcase real stories where NbS have succeeded, engage with policymakers, provide hands-on experience, and foster a broader understanding of the benefits NbS bring to our environments. Higher levels of awareness and acceptance of NbS should hopefully lead to more widespread implementation in the future.
Adopting the Green Infrastructure Framework
By adopting the new Green Infrastructure Framework by Natural England, NbS can be integrated into the design of towns and cities, aiming for at least 40% green cover in urban residential areas. This includes increasing tree canopy cover, promoting access to green (and blue) spaces, and ensuring equitable access to these spaces across the country.
Partnership Funding and Community Involvement
Supporting or joining local flood action groups, making contributions to projects through partnership funding, and using interactive maps to find local catchment partnerships will encourage community involvement and collaboration in flood risk management.
How Accelar is supporting resilience and nature based solutions
One way we are supporting resilience is through Acra, our bespoke software-driven service that assesses the vulnerabilities and opportunities for planned and existing infrastructure in the context of a changing climate. Which uniquely highlights opportunities for NbS resilience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the adoption and implementation of NbS are not just a response to the growing threat of flooding in the UK; they represent a strategic approach to building a more resilient and sustainable future for the country.
Initiatives like the National Natural Flood Management programme, which has already been successful in creating significant water storage and improved flood resilience through a combination of small interventions, demonstrates the power of collaboration and the effectiveness of NbS in managing flood risks.
NbS not only enhance our ability to withstand the impacts of flooding, but also contribute to biodiversity conservation, support ecosystems, and create healthier, more resilient communities. Although we may face challenges with flood resilience such as planning constraints, the need for long-term commitment, and the impact of climate variability; these challenges do not diminish the potential NbS hold.