Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum

Morning, Thursday, 14^th May 2020

Online

THIS EVENT IS CPD CERTIFIED

This conference will discuss the next steps for flooding and coastal erosion risk management policy in England and adapting to the increased risks associated with climate change.

It will be an opportunity to discuss the way the Government is approaching flooding policy as part of its commitment to adapt to the increased risks associated with climate change.

It takes place with:

• the country having experienced widespread flooding throughout the winter;
• introduction of the Agriculture Bill to parliament, which includes measures to encourage flood resilience;
• government committing to invest £4bn in flood defences announced in the Queen’s Speech; and
• The Committee on Climate Change highlighting the increased risk to the UK of winter rainfall, and sea levels expected to rise by 1 to 3 metres.

The conference is bringing together policymakers and key stakeholders - across communities and local authorities, land owners, and the engineering, agriculture, utilities, insurance, and housing sectors.

Areas for discussion include:

• Flood resilience and adaptation - following The Environment Agency’s National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) strategy for England, due in spring;
• Infrastructure priorities - with the National Infrastructure Commission carrying out a resilience study examining the impact of climate change on the UK’s infrastructure; and
• Protecting homes and businesses - following the publication of the Flood Re insurance scheme’s five-yearly review, which set out how to encourage properties to increase their resilience.

Speakers and chair

There will be keynote contributions from:

• David Cooper, Deputy Director, Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management, Defra;
• Matt Crossman, Head of Resilience Study, National Infrastructure Commission;
• Julie Foley, Director, Flood Risk Strategy & National Adaptation, Environment Agency;
• Mark Hoban, Chair, Flood Re; and
• Laura Hughes, Manager, General Insurance, Association of British Insurers.

Further confirmed speakers include: Richard Bramley, NFU Environment Forum; Fay Bull, AECOM; Daniel Cook, Ambiental; Dr Tim Fox, IMechE; Jo Harrison, United Utilities; Heather Shepherd, National Flood Forum; Innes Thomson, Association of Drainage Authorities and Councillor Andrew Waller, City of York Council.

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering, Co-Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Water Group and Member, House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee has kindly agreed to chair part of this seminar.

The agenda

• Implementing the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England;
• Future-proofing critical infrastructure - the National Infrastructure Commission’s Resilience Study;
• Delivering the FCERM strategy for England - flood resilience infrastructure, land use, natural flood management, and community engagement;
• Update on Flood Re - encouraging a ‘build back better’ approach, supporting resilience measures, and next steps following the five yearly (Quinquennial) review;
• Planning sustainable developments and implementing strategic flood risk assessments;
• Case study: future-proofing new housing developments;
• Developing farmland flood resistance - protecting, restoring, and accounting for farm valuation;
• Protecting coastal industrial infrastructure - increasing awareness of sea level rise and the engineering challenges, and updating design codes; and
• Next steps for flooding policy - adapting to climate change, funding arrangements, and protecting communities.

Engagement with policy officials at this conference

This Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum conference has attracted particularly strong interest from policymakers. It will be an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with officials who have reserved places representing: CCC; Defra; MHCLG; NAO; Ofwat; ORR; The Coal Authority; UK Space Agency and the Welsh Government.