A new report identifying the research and innovation needed to support the UK in its path to climate adaptation has been released.
Developed by the Government Office for Science and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework (CARIF) outlines the research and innovation needed around climate adaptation.
CARIF is designed to make it easier for government, industry, and research communities to work together to tackle the challenges we face around adapting to climate change.
The new framework is the first time the UK research needs across government and across sectors have been brought together in one place.
Why climate adaptation is important
We are already seeing severe climate impacts across the globe as a consequence of global warming, with observed increases in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, drought, wildfires and heavy rain events leading to floods.
Additionally, the oceans are warming, and glaciers and ice sheets are melting, causing sea levels to rise at an accelerating rate. The scientific evidence is increasingly clear that human-induced climate change has increased the likelihood of many extreme weather events across the globe.
The impact of global rises in temperature is also being experienced directly in the UK. In July 2022, temperature records were set across the UK, with a record high of 40.3°C in Coningsby, Lincolnshire. In a climate unaffected by human influence, it is virtually impossible for temperatures in the UK to reach levels of 40°C and higher.
The UK Climate Projections tell us that the UK will continue to warm in the future, with an increase in the frequency and intensity of hot spells. The likelihood of exceeding 40°C somewhere in the UK in a given year is increasing, and such extreme events could occur every few years in the climate of 2100 under a high-emissions scenario.
Research and innovation for a well‑adapted UK
This Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework outlines the research and innovation needed to address the risks and support climate adaptation plans across UK government and sectors.
Environment Minister Emma Hardy explained: “We are already seeing the impact of climate change and extreme weather on people’s lives, from transport disruption to flooding in people’s homes.
“This is why, alongside our research into climate adaptation, we are exploring how we can set out stronger objectives to drive action to increase our preparedness for the impacts of climate change up to and beyond the next National Adaptation Programme in 2028.”
The framework sets out R&I challenges across 11 sectors, based on the CCRA3 monitoring framework, which are:
- Nature
- Working land and seas
- Food security
- Water supply
- Energy
- Telecommunications
- Transport
- Towns and cities
- Buildings
- Health
- Business and finance
The Framework also identifies cross-cutting and systems-wide issues and linkages between sectors. Ultimately, investments to develop both adaptation solutions and policy mechanisms are required to ensure that the UK adapts to a changing climate effectively and equitably.
Sectoral research and innovation challenges
The research and innovation needs identified for each sector are categorised into three challenge areas.
- Risk assessment: This relates to the evidence and methods needed to give a good understanding of the changing hazard, including the likelihood, magnitude and extent of extreme weather events, alongside changing exposure and vulnerability. Risk assessment also includes scenarios for stress-testing existing thresholds and potential climate adaptation options, alongside considering broader uncertainty for design purposes.
- Decision support and solutions: This relates to the evidence required by decision-makers, whether in governments or business, as well as the innovation, design, testing, cost-benefit analysis and evaluation of adaptation interventions.
- Data needs: This includes availability and access to evidence that underpins the assessment and management of climate risks.
Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean concluded: “We need new research to make the UK more resilient to climate change, and innovation to improve how effectively and affordably we ready systems for change.
“The UK has world-leading science capabilities which we can harness to ensure we are ready for future climate impacts.”
