Synopsis of Results from CCCF Registration Questionnaire

The registration form for all delegates to CCCF contained a brief questionnaire, designed to assess the priorities placed on a variety of climate change issues. Delegates were asked, firstly:

• Do you work for/in a specific sector(e.g. industry, environmental, political, educational etc.)? If yes, please indicate which sector you are most closely allied to (in terms of CCCF workshop definitions).

Secondly, delegates were asked:

• "to indicate which are the three most important/significant climate change issues as you perceive them."

These open questions were chosen so as to avoid any influence upon the outcome. The data are presented in this section, and are discussed in greater detail. The responses were collected, in >95% of cases, prior to the meeting. It was felt possible, if not indeed probable, that the views of individual delegates may derive (at least in part) from their sectoral background. Determining the nature of any general relationships between sector and response, other than on an individual basis, has not been straightforward. However, it is clear from overall examination of the responses, that the sectoral 'home' of the respondent has had surprisingly little influence on the issues prioritised. This enhances the role of the response list as a generic representation of climate change priority issues in the SW Region.

The background of the responding delegates are as follows:

Education and awareness

This classification reflects a diverse range of factors issues, largely focussed on the need to change perceptions amongst the public in general and in individual professional sectors. Comments generally indicated that an understanding of the nature of the changes and the impacts that these would generate, was a pre-requisite for general and significant response in terms of adaptation and mitigation. Comments suggested that whilst the issue as a general topic was well known, understanding at a level necessary to change life-style, policy and work-space practice, was insufficient. Public perception as a specific theme was raised many times. The lack of 'accurate' perceptions was attributed in part to low levels of scientific literacy in the media; difficulties in conveying notions of uncertainty; and poor communication between scientists and the public. The use of examples of good practice was cited as a possible way forward. It is interesting to record that the 'education and awareness' theme is rated significantly as the most important issue relating to climate change in the SW Region. (ranked 1 out of 16 issues)

Adaptation/mitigation

The notion of mitigation is traditionally at the focus of debate concerning the potential responses to anthropogenic climate change. Through the aegis of the United Kingdom Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP), adaptation is becoming an increasingly significant element. A range of responses fall in to this category. Whilst it is recognised as a critical issue, many others were deemed to be of greater significance by the delegates. This is perhaps surprising, and rather than downplaying the importance of adaptation and mitigation, it highlights the specific, as opposed to generic, areas that require attention. Specific issues were raised such as the potential for waste issues to be incorporated into mitigation scenarios. Most concerns related to the need for a rapid and more holistic larger scale view towards adaptation and mitigation than is currently apparent. A move towards greater accountability was identified as a key driver of change. (ranked 14 out of 16 issues)

Identifying the actual causes of climate change

This cluster was ranked lowest of the identifiable priority grouped issues. This probably reflects the degree to which generic public awareness of climate change has been brought about through the roles of (1) The Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); (2) the role of the media; and (3) the interpretation of 'weather events' as symptoms of climate change. also precautionary . Prediction of the type and magnitude of any impacts is cited more frequently than any reference to other causal factors. Clearly delegates accepted the conventional model of anthropogenically elevated carbon dioxide as the cause of 'global warming' and have not been influenced by alternative models including those associated with natural solar changes. (ranked 16 out of 16 issues)

Water resource issues

Unsurprisingly, the main areas of interest focussed on implications of predicted shifts in rainfall patterns, both in space and in time. Demand changes were also seen as critical. Sustainable agriculture and wetland management were highlighted as particular sensitivities in the SW Region, as were implications for water quality. The potential role of water companies in assisting with this issue was highlighted by several delegates. (ranked 12 out of 16 issues)

Flooding Issues

This issue generated many similar responses. Again, given recent weather 'events' this unanimity is unsurprising. Increased The main responses centred on (1) the agricultural implications of flooding in terms of water table elevation, waterlogged soils and loss of agricultural land; and primarily (2) the implication that increased flooding will stress existing flood plain developments. Flood protection was seen as problematic, but necessary [the new PPG25 was seen to offer an appropriate agenda for future planning]; location new developments was seen to the most significant factor. Other issues concerned the role of increased rainfall in triggering erosion and slope instability. Coastal flooding in the SW Region was closely associated with riverine (estuary) flooding. (ranked 7 out of 16 issues)

Land management issues

Agricultural factors and planning policy guidelines for development and land use were the two main factors cited here. The need for adaptive change and greater long term flexibility in land usage was considered important. (ranked 15 out of 16 issues)

Coastal issues (including changes in sea level)

Issues raised here tended to be specifically local to the Region, especially in relation to the combined effects of estuarine , tidal and riverine flooding. Additional, broader issues raised included larger scale oceanic changes and impacts on the distribution of key economic fisheries. General sea-level rise issues featured significantly. Contexts mentioned repeatedly included: (1) coastal squeeze and loss of freshwater coastal systems; (2) coastal erosion issues; (3) impacts on coastal lowlands; and (4) impacts on coastal properties and communities. (ranked 5 out of 16 issues)

Carbon dioxide emissions

These issues, overlapping with energy and mitigation scenarios, were clearly topical in light of the events occurring in the COP6 discussions in The Hague. Carbon dioxide emissions were highlighted both globally and locally. The global issues concerned particularly the present role of the USA and he potential future impact of China, together with the need for more progress following the Kyoto Summit. Leadership by the UK was seen to be important here. Transport shifts were seen as vital as were shifts to low carbon fuel. Low carbon technology and carbon taxation were highlighted as agents of change. Lack of education and motivation were seen as significant barriers. (ranked 9 out of 16 issues)

Impact of climatic threats

It was recognised that the extent / magnitude of future climate shifts were not known. However, threats were recognised. These included (1) effects on climate change on air pollution; (2) erosion, farm land gulleying, and flooding; (3) uncertainties in food production; (4) increased drought potential; (5) change in the seasonality of weather patterns in the UK; and (6) increases in the extreme events. Particular environments / habitats threatened included heathlands, wetlands and coastal lowlands. (ranked 8 out of 16 issues)

Energy Demand

The three factors highlighted here were (1) The need to reduce energy consumption though conservation; (2) The need to reduce energy consumption though efficiency savings; (3) the need to generate more sustainable energy. Clearly there is overlap with the next category (11). Energy costs were seen to be an inhibiting factor- energy was viewed as inappropriately costed. Greater effort was needed in the promotion of efficiency gains. More research and investment was needed in efficiency and renewables generation. The role of increased air temperatures on energy demand needed greater research. (ranked 10 out of 16 issues)

Energy Sourcing

Research into cleaner fuels and renewable energy was the principal factor here, with variable emphasis on biomass sourcing and windpower. The comparative low ranking if this factor may reflect greater emphasis on others rather than a disregard for this area, or may reflect that it is the most clearly defined category with a less 'permeable' barrier into other classes.(ranked 13 out of 16 issues)

Conservation and biodiversity

The need for nature conservation to adopt a strategic approach to climate change was stressed. Consequences of climate change on biodiversity were numerous, with views ranging through concerns about: (1) effects on wildlife in designated sites; (2) shifting ecosystems and habitat change; (3) introduction of exotic non-native species in coastal waters; (4) change in range of species in response to climate change; (5) ramifications for aquatic ecology; (6) effects of higher temperatures on natural environment i.e. plant growth, wildlife; and (7) warmer summers and threat to heathland. Impacts on Arctic flora and fauna was seen as a significant issue, with potential to have a known on impact in the UK. Generally the view presented was negative, i.e. that biodiversity would decline as a consequence of climate change. (ranked 6 out of 16 issues)

Infrastructure, Planning and Transport

This broad category covers issues climate impact on the infrastructure, and the infrastructure and planning process on climate change and its mitigation. Despite being broadly construed, recurring themes enabled clustering of these responses under a single grouping. These included traffic issues and the need to reduce aviation demand and reliance on the car; the need to plan for changing structural emphasis on longer timescales; and the need to integrate planning and subsequent management policies. Impacts of infrastructural development in climatically sensitive conditions (e.g. reducing ground water replenishment etc.), impact of developments on micro-climates; and damage to infrastructure by a changed climate system were other factors highlighted. (ranked 4 out of 16 issues)

Agricultural issues

There were the main issues relating to climate change and agriculture. These were: (1) the loss of land from production through shifts to wetter conditions and, though drier shifts, due to higher demands on irrigation; (2) the need to change land management practices; and (3) the need to accommodate climate change by changing the pattern of agriculture in the UK, especially in relation to potential that new cropping patterns may be needed for the SW Region. (ranked 11 out of 16 issues)

Socio-economic issues

Broadly speaking all these responses dealt with e potential for economic losses as a result of climate change. With one exception (potential for increased SW Regional tourism, no economic benefits were identified (though this may relate to the question which sought issue identification - with issues inherently perceived as negative). Specific issues included (1) energy poverty; (2) impacts on health/disease; (3) need to shift to sustainable consumerism; (4) impacts of immigration / migration; and (5) climate change and globalisation - impacts on UK economy if slow in response to change..(ranked 2 out of 16 issues)

Policy response

Issues of policy response spanning regional, national and global frameworks were highlighted. Integrating long term planning was seen to be lacking with the need for greater ownership at a regional level. Interactions between agencies, and solutions through a multi-agency approach were raised as a way forward. The presence of too many discrete agencies, without a guiding framework, was seen to inhibit progress. More effective information sharing in the corporate sector was also suggested as a way forward. The Climate Change Levy was raised in many returns, with neither positive nor negative reference. General consensus was lacking and barriers to effective policy implementation included the need for monitoring of policy impact after introduction. Rapid response was a critical issue, together with the need for a coherent funding base for climate change policy (impact and mitigation) investigations in the Region. (ranked 3 out of 16 issues)