The changing Broads…? A summary of Climate Adaptation Plan 2016

CLIMATE

Join the debate Contents

1 The changing Broads page 4 2 The changing climate page 4 3 A climate-smart response page 5 4 Being climate-smart in the Broads page 6 5 Managing flood risk page 12 6 Next steps page 18 Table 1 Main climate change impacts and preliminary adaptation options page 7 Table 2 Example of climate-smart planning at a local level page 11 Table 3 Assessing adaptation options for managing flood risk in the Broads page 14

Published January 2016 Broads Climate Partnership Coordinating the adaption response in the Broads Broads Authority (lead), Environment Agency, Natural , National Farmers Union, County Council, local authorities, University of

Broads Climate Partnership c/o Broads Authority 62-64 Thorpe Road NR1 1RY The changing Broads...

This document looks at the likely impacts of climate change and sea level rise on the special features of the Broads and suggests a way forward. It is a summary of the full Broads Climate Adaptation Plan prepared as part of the UK National Adaptation Programme.

To get the best future for the Broads and those who live, work and play here it makes sense to start planning for adaptation now. The ‘climate-smart’ approach led by the Broads Climate Partnership seeks to inspire and support decision makers and local communities in planning for our changing environment. It is supported by a range of information and help available through the Broads oCommunity initiative (see page 18).

‘Big skies’ at Horsey Mere and windpump

The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan 3 1 The changing Broads 2 The changing climate

The Norfolk and Broads is a unique and We all notice the changes in our day-to-day internationally important . A member of the weather and short-term variations in our climate, UK family of National Parks, the Broads is such as the recent winter storm events. designated for its landscape, nature conservation Climate change science, on the other hand, analyses and cultural features. It is enjoyed by its residents the average weather trends or cycles at a particular and millions of visitors for its tranquil, ‘big skies’ place over much longer periods of time, generally landscape and recreational opportunities on land around 30-50 years. and on 200km of navigable waterways. Climate science has been evolving for decades, The Broads is a dynamic, living landscape, shaped using evidence from the past and computer over centuries by nature, people and climate. Over modelling to project what is likely to happen in the the next century it will continue to change. In future. While climate prediction modelling is particular, its low-lying nature and closeness to extremely complex, with many variables to be the East coast makes the Broads, a predominantly considered, modelling results are coming closer and freshwater habitat, particularly vulnerable to the closer together. impacts of climate change and sea level rise. Based on probable climate projections, over the These impacts are likely to become increasingly coming 50 years the Broads is likely to see: significant as we move through the coming decades, affecting our water resource, habitats and species, built heritage, navigation, property and • Hotter, drier summers with more cloud-free infrastructure, agriculture and tourism. days and future average temperatures closer to current maximum temperatures, and This summary of the Broads Climate possibly extreme rainfall events. Adaptation Plan outlines the likely impacts of • Slightly wetter, warmer winters with rainfall in climate change and sea level rise on the Broads more intense bursts. and considers adaptation responses. • Streams and the sea getting warmer, with (For more information on the full plan, see associated changes in wildlife and water page 18 of this summary). patterns.

• More extremes in the intensity and frequency of rainfall and storms, and possibly heatwaves and drought. These could coincide with surge tide events, creating still higher flood levels.

Sea level is rising due to land settlement. In addition, the expansion of water as it warms up suggests that sea level will be at least 30-40cm higher, possibly over a metre higher by the end of the century if greenhouse gas emissions are not In 2014 there were approximately 7.7 million reduced rapidly. If climate ‘tipping points’ of visitors to the wider Broads National Park area irreversible change are reached, perhaps enabling lots of polar land ice to melt, sea levels could be much higher.

4 The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan 3 A climate-smart response

While there may be uncertainty about the rate and magnitude of climate change over the coming decades, ‘uncertainty paralysis’ needs to be avoided. Changes are already occurring and will continue to occur. The decision should not be whether to begin preparing for change, but how much change to prepare for.… it is often cheaper to design for a change than to retrofit for the change later.

Dr Jeff Price, Tyndall Centre, University of East Anglia

The uncertainty about climate change should not The long-term aim of climate-smart planning is to be a reason to avoid preparing for it. However, we sustain the natural environment and the multiple need climate adaptation responses that are robust, benefits it provides for people and nature. Adaptive informed and flexible. To help develop adaptation actions should also seek to reduce greenhouse gas planning in the Broads we are suggesting using a emissions and improve evidence and understanding ‘climate-smart’ approach. of climate change processes and impacts.

Climate-smart planning can be done at a small, local We can test whether our plans will help us adapt to site level (such as a farm, nature reserve or tourist changes in weather, climate change and sea level attraction) or a larger organisational level (such as rise by: a recreation strategy, habitat or species recovery Focusing on future possibilities rather than trying plan, or spatial planning policy). In simple terms it is • to retain the past about adding climate adaptive thinking to our management planning cycle (Fig.1). • Being flexible enough to cope with climate uncertainties

• Addressing climate impacts alongside other pressures, such as changes in food production or Implement Define trends in tourism actions and planning monitor purpose and results scope • Considering what to do locally within the context of the wider landscape Evaluate Assess and select climate • Avoiding adaptation actions that actually makes adaption impact and (other) things worse – sometimes known as vulnerabilities options ‘maladaptation’

Identify Review goals, possible objectives and adaptation strategies options

Figure 1 Climate-smart planning cycle1

1 Adapted from ‘Climate-Smart Conservation: Putting Adaptation Principles into Practice’ (National Wildlife Federation, 2014)

The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan 5 4 Being climate-smart in We also propose adaptation actions that could help now, while not restricting future choices that may the Broads be available as climate understanding continues to improve. When people are asked why they love the Broads, These and other options would obviously need to the ‘special qualities’ most commonly mentioned be considered in detail, and there are likely to be include: Rivers and open water bodies (‘broads’); some difficult and complex decisions ahead. , reed beds and wet woodlands; grazing marshes and ditches; estuary and coast; navigable, Many adaptation choices will need long-term lock-free waterways; farmland; abundant wildlife; planning to gain necessary agreements, change historic structures, especially mills; countryside practice or policy, or gather more evidence of what access on land and water; and the sense of may be possible or acceptable. Reaching a tranquillity, wildness and ‘big skies’. Although this consensus on some actions will be very plan dwells on these special qualities, the wider challenging, with many different interests and needs of people, especially our local communities, needs to be considered. also needs to be at the forefront of thinking. We know that one of the most significant To develop our climate-smart planning challenges likely to face the Broads is the approach for the Broads, we have looked at management of flood risk. At the same time, we likely climate impacts on these special qualities, need to recognise that change will also bring and potential vulnerabilities and adaptation opportunities to enhance the Broads. opportunities (Table 1, page 7) As a starting point for debate and evidence gathering, we have assessed the potential of some For the most significant impacts we consider what of the short-term priorities and longer-term goals could be done to get the best for the Broads in for managing this risk (Section 5, page 12). adapting to the likely changes.

Iconic features of the Broads: Bittern (left) and wherries in full sail (right)

6 The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan

development to contribute to conservation to contribute to development management seek sustainable solutions for the solutions for seek sustainable and users environment hold back water to and processes and flows of pollutants goals or management as appropriate habitats key investment future offer tourism floodplain giving multiple benefits requiring adequate water supply water adequate requiring P Impr Identif E R T A Dev Sc P C

b. reservoirs farm create to grants romote c. d. sources understand to monitoring ove e. habitats sensitive y the most in water store opportunities to xplore a. management plans and change eview site b. conservation techniques rial experimental c. of and trial relocation for potential ssess a. steer b. to vision and advice elop tourism extend/enhance ope opportunities to c. growth/ sustainable mechanism for romote a. to licencing of abstraction ontinue review Some possible ‘low Some possible adaptation regret’ actions 2 Indicative challenge 2 1 4 2 2 3 2 1 Indicative cost 2 2 3 1 2 3 1

ii. Provide clear guidance so market so market guidance clear ii. Provide response suitable develop can forces Some possible adaptation adaptation Some possible options i. Alter water abstraction licensing licensing abstraction water i. Alter or processes iii. Relocate species to areas where where areas species to iii. Relocate (results suitable more are conditions be long term) to likely are to i. Identify vulnerable sites in better and invest disturbance management visitor ii. More appropriate water water appropriate ii. More multiple needs management for iii. Reduce levels of nutrients/ levels iii. Reduce so low flushing throughout pollutants damaging is less of rivers and species i. Change habitat management ii. Hold back water within the ii. Hold back water and/ surfaces, floodplain by altering whole integrated, or adopting more management water catchment Significant climate impacts climate Significant on the and vulnerabilities special qualities area’s 1. Lack of water for for 1. Lack of water and the abstraction along with lack environment flush rivers to of water 3. Changes in tourism 3. Changes in tourism numbers and visitor patterns 2. Changes in species mix and growth Main climate impacts and preliminary possible adaptation options adaptation impacts possible and preliminary climate Main Climate event Climate A. drier Hotter summers (Cost and challenge: 1=low, 5=high) 1=low, and challenge: (Cost Table 1 Table

The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan 7

eloper contributions from growth growth from eloper contributions identify main risks and provide guidance identify guidance main risks and provide within planning system ahead /pests disease resist ability to impacts issues climate and assess case might facilities what other Review levels. alter need to times of year use at other to water goals or management as appropriate alien species) invasive (including for management help site to to monitor change and create legacy if change and create monitor to lost asset species with pests acceptable developments that are that are developments acceptable sustainable and economically environmentally Thr Dev Impr R Monit Model riv Identif E R R Dev P Enable dev

a. agencies, environment ough historic b. details asset record elop scheme to a. b. and plan further risk assessments ove is greater so there stresses other educe c. within resistance natural or for a. b. of worst account taking er levels c. y impacts on bridges of higher water excess storing opportunities for xplore a. management plans and change eview site b. cope to aspirations evise farming a. b. industry tourism elop vision for on and advice guidance clear rovide c. Some possible ‘low Some possible adaptation regret’ actions Indicative challenge 3 3 2 1 2 3 1 4 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 Indicative cost 2 3 1 1 2 3 1 4 1 2 4 1 2 2 2 2 Some possible adaptation adaptation Some possible options iii. Alter navigation infrastructure iii. Alter i. Modify management processes in visitor investment iii. Increase management ii. Allow higher water levels generally generally levels ii. Allow higher water management practices with associated in length of tourism growth ii. Plan for season iii. Carry out more recording to retain retain to recording iii. Carry out more knowledge of assets structures/ protect ii. Proactively assets resistance disease for i. Breed iii. Minimise other threats to help to threats iii. Minimise other populations healthy keep and height of flood scope i. Increase has to the water recognising defences go somewhere in line control water improve iii. Alter/ processes with natural / livestock Modifyiv. cropping with invasive cope to procedures and alien species pests so market guidance clear i. Provide response suitable develop can forces ii. Modify management practices needs) other to relate (cross objectives site ii. Revise i. Review/revise water management water i. Review/revise on site Significant climate impacts climate Significant on the and vulnerabilities special qualities area’s 3. Changes in species mix including greater and growth survival and of pests diseases 1. Less die-off of pest and die-off of pest 1. Less diseases 2. Higher peak and resting and resting 2. Higher peak possible levels water 4. Changes in tourism numbers and visitor patterns 4. Drying of ground and 4. Drying of ground historic affecting materials, and landscape environment character Climate event Climate B. Warmer B. Warmer winters wetter

8 The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan

oom for change in all oom for Shoreline Management Plans Management Shoreline costs options adaptation options of barrier review saline from protection provide options to intrusion defence coastal new designations and/or schemes if consider so land managers can habitat planning that option is viable in future landowners, particularly through catchment catchment landowners, particularly through Directive Framework Water approaches/ legislative constraints for Natura2000 sites Natura2000 for constraints legislative F Shar Raise aw C C R Dev R Build in sufficient r Identif

a. of urther on implementation studies b. c. projects/ on relocation studies e case people to of vulnerable areness a. technical financial and arry out high level b. new technological investigate ontinue to c. management plans and eview site a. with problems elop solutions to b. Plan policies eview Local a. b. new coastal for areas y potential Some possible ‘low Some possible adaptation regret’ actions 3 4 2 5 Indicative challenge 4 3 3 5 4 5 4 3 3 3 5 2 5 Indicative cost 4 3 3 4 5 5 2 2 3 iii. Move vulnerable habitats/historic vulnerable iii. Move as a last new locations buildings to resort allow higher objectives to Review iv. levels water of existing realignment i. Consider barriers ii. Use localised defence structures to to structures defence ii. Use localised levels maintain Some possible adaptation adaptation Some possible options i. Strengthen coastal defences coastal i. Strengthen iii. Implement realignment schemes iii. Implement realignment assets vital Relocate iv. (and salt barriers i. Introduce management) water associated ii. Install localised site specific site localised ii. Install protection habitat of coastal new areas ii. Create elsewhere loss compensate to iii. Modify management practices to iii. Modify to management practices (amounts with new salt levels deal and locations) to areas overspill i. Create water excess accommodate ii. Review objectives to accommodate accommodate objectives to ii. Review salty conditions more 4. Squeeze of marine 4. Squeeze barriers against habitats Significant climate impacts climate Significant on the and vulnerabilities special qualities area’s 1. Flooding of land and 1. Flooding impacts (e.g. on associated infrastructure) primarily through or breach overtopping 2. Increasing salinity in 2. Increasing freshwater predominantly system 3. Changes to other water water other 3. Changes to (including indirect) levels Climate event Climate C. rise level Sea

The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan 9

Catchment Management Plans Management Catchment Plans Management Water Plans and Surface identify actionto priority for locations in catchment water up’ management water gain multiple benefits cope to practice best managers on localised extremes with changing weather including lessening and resilient robust more stresses other implement multiple benefit projects possible impacts with recent extremes built extremes impactspossible with recent identifyin to vulnerabilities Use W P Int P Dev R R Dev M

a. b. to Directive Framework ater on funding support through advice rovide a. Management Flood Catchment egrate b. ‘holding for advice practice best romote c. improve d. to elop new funding routes Plans to Management Level evise Water a. model data, tidal surge eview existing a. home owners and site for elop advice b. sites and heritage wildlife vulnerable ake Some possible ‘low Some possible adaptation regret’ actions Indicative challenge 2 2 3 2 2 1 4 2 1 3 Indicative cost 2 3 3 3 2 1 4 1 1 1 Some possible adaptation adaptation Some possible options i. Manage site to minimise to site i. Manage sediment loss i. Increase scope and height of scope i. Increase defences hold opportunities to iii. Increase and improve upstream water the ground into percolation and warning advance Improve iv. advice into extremes surge i. Build potential modelling and adapt Shoreline Plans accordingly Management of risks and awareness iii. Improve responses practice best ii. Proactively manage catchment/ manage catchment/ ii. Proactively to and infrastructure waterways sediment run-off and create prevent sediment buffers flood areas temporary ii. Develop goals and amend current ii. Review with better cope and objectives to extremes i. Build in (further) contingency to i. Build in (further) contingency to with extremes cope Significant climate impacts climate Significant on the and vulnerabilities special qualities area’s 1. Sediment washed off 1. Sediment washed or onto waterways land into land other 2. (Flash) Flooding of land Flooding 2. (Flash) more and infrastructure likely by created surges 3. Tidal and high systems weather tides 4. The cumulative effects of effects 4. The cumulative patterns unusual weather strategies putting coping under stress Climate event Climate D. Extreme D. events

10 The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan Table 2 shows an example of typical responses to Broads oCommunity will develop other scenario change, for one particular scenario - a boatyard responses, which will be placed on the website and owner facing increased flood risk. available on request, to help different sectors of the community relate and contribute to the ideas.

Table 2 Example of climate-smart planning at a local level

Example: Boatyard business

Responses Potential actions Considerations

Resist the change and Accept yard will flood but build To keep roughly same level of operation make alterations to keep in higher levels of defence – we would need to keep flood waters out or things the same e.g. raise flood walls, lift vital alter factors that would be affected. Not all items off floor level, move floods can be resisted but improvements electric points higher, invest in could mean business time lost remains more rapid restoration plans ‘average’ and acceptable.

Accept the change and Accept yard will flood and Our flood response procedures work ok make no alterations continue to use existing now, but with a very different regime in restoration procedures to get future (e.g. more flood events, higher back to operational level water levels) the current procedures could be inadequate.

Accept the change and Change flood defences to much What could we do to get best from the make alterations to get higher level of protection; situation – e.g. could excess water have the best from the new channel flood water to known a beneficial use somewhere? How can we situation location, perhaps for reuse; alter change things so flood impacts are less yard configuration to reduce risk significant - e.g. buildings/storage levels to people and property; modify that rise and fall with water levels? buildings so flood impacts are minimal and rapid restoration can occur

Accept the change and Review viability of yard and Projected changes suggest that at a future alter goals, objectives or modify business, from point our current business will not be strategies moving location to altering viable. Is it realistic to move? Can we business model (e.g. to change what we do or how we do it? Can floating maintenance docks). we predict how far in advance our Make changes in advance or business model has to change? What would wait for trigger points to be our trigger points be? reached

The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan 11 5 Managing flood risk The likely impacts on the area’s special qualities include: Managing water resources is obviously central to the Broads wetland environment. With 95% of the • Flooding threats to life, property and Broads Authority Executive Area lying within the infrastructure floodplain and its proximity to the coast, flood risk • Increased pollutants and excess nutrients, is a specific major issue. sediments and salinity in the rivers and broads As a starting point for debate we have made an • Greater pressures on water resources initial assessment for managing this risk, using the steps in the climate-smart planning cycle. • Loss of coastal habitat

• Loss of river habitats 5.1 Planning purpose and scope • Changes in the distribution, mix and growth • To identify flood risk adaptation options for the of species Broads within the wider context of the rivers • Changes in visual landscape character, catchment, coast, and urban and rural surrounds including archaeological and built heritage • To evaluate adaptation options against desired features goals, objectives and strategies. • Changes in agricultural patterns and production

5.2 Climate impacts and • Changes in tourism patterns and visitor vulnerabilities numbers

• The sea overtopping or breaching defences and/ or surging up the rivers

• Squeeze of coastal habitat as it becomes eroded by the sea and cannot move past existing barriers

• Excessive rain, which may also be held back by the tide, overtopping and breaching defences

• Ground and surface water flooding

• Extreme weather events in combination, such as storms with high tides and heavy rainfall, affecting how defences (such as existing flood Overtopping at Postwick Marshes, walls) cope with the situation

12 The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan 5.3 Current goals, objectives This aim was furthered by a resolution from the and strategies Broads Authority taken in January 2014 that states: “(Tidal) surges pose a critical threat for both Broads’ A wide range of bodies have roles and communities and the protection of the very responsibilities for managing flood risk in the Broads precious freshwater ecology that makes the Broads and along the Norfolk and Suffolk coast. so special. We recognise the considerable amount of investment made in flood protection and stress the The Broads Authority manages the Broads for importance of preventing salt and saline intrusion.” conservation, recreation and navigation. As the local planning authority it controls development in 13km of frontline sea defences between Eccles the area, primarily in the flood plain, and advises on and Winterton protect the Broads from flooding matters such as sustainable building design. directly from the , as part of the Kelling to Shoreline Management Plan. The Environment Agency manages flood risk from the main rivers, estuary and the sea, and is responsible for river and tidal flood defences. Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils are the Lead Local Flood Authorities, managing flood risk from surface water, ordinary watercourses and groundwater.

Water and sewerage companies manage the risk of flooding to water supply and sewerage facilities and the risk to others from the failure of their infrastructure, and Internal Drainage Boards manage land drainage in lowland areas. These Where the rivers meet at organisations also have a role to play in encouraging communities to participate in flood risk Currently, there is a ‘hold the line’ policy approach management at their local level. to maintaining the beaches and existing sea defence structures along this frontage. By later in The long-term aim for the Broads in response to this century, this will become conditional depending climate change and sea level is that: on the climate, and other management approaches will need to be considered if the ‘hold the line’ All of the key agencies believe that the Broads position becomes unsustainable. will remain a special area, retaining its wildlife and heritage importance and continuing to offer Each time a managed approach is put off, the extensive recreation and socio-economic likelihood of an unmanaged change increases. It is opportunities. Longer-term aspirations and therefore vital to continue evidence gathering to decisions will be informed by robust evidence monitor and predict future conditions. and wide ranging debate on the most Further inland, the Flood Alleviation appropriate management options. Project 2001-2021 is strengthening and Broads Plan 2011 maintaining existing flood defences and making new provisions for undefended communities in the Broads. What happens beyond 2021 is still to be determined.

The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan 13 5.4 Possible adaptation options

As a starting point for discussion and for research and evidence building, we look at seven potential adaptation responses to flood risk (Table 3).

‘Broads Future’ YouTube video produced to stimulate community debate about managing o © Environment Agency. Broads Authority © Crown copyright and flood risk in the Broads. See Broads Community database right 2014. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100021573 web page for link - details page 18

Table 3 Assessing adaptation options for managing flood risk in the Broads

Possible adaptation options Considerations

a Make incremental additions to existing flood May initially appear lower cost option but as each protection as conditions dictate. incremental cost is added may become high cost over May be achieved through management time, which could mask underlying increase in risks and change (e.g. altering the levels and uses of be false economy. sluices) but more likely to require Many experts believe ‘business as usual’ approach technological/ built solutions to maintain would not provide necessary risk management. current situation. Changing conditions may create very technical challenges and require increasingly complex solutions. Creates potential for increasing inequality as poor and small communities receive less favourable solutions.

b Accept there will be increased fresh and salt Dwells on unmanaged change. Unlikely to be acceptable water flooding leading to (slow) change of option to local people, visitors and, to certain degree, freshwater habitat to brackish and saline, current legislation as planned approaches should bring coastal habitat squeeze, increased impacts wider benefits. on and constraints to riverside economy and recreation. Minimise threat to life and property through advanced warning systems.

14 The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan c Find new places to direct excess water Likely to be medium cost; would require new uses for (make space for water) along catchment, land to retain economic viability; could enhance some avoiding increased threat to people. services (e.g. wildlife, recreational opportunities); and Increased flood protection at a local level could be gradually introduced as conditions altered. (such as around individual properties, small More integrated water management would bring settlements or very valuable land) by multiple benefits but would require new governance individuals/communities or through processes. public bodies. Likely to create significant challenges for freshwater Promote more integrated catchment scale habitats seeing gradual move towards brackish and salty water management to use freshwater conditions. excess to minimise potential for drought impacts. d Increase protection through construction of Likely to be high cost; may require high quality rigid defences. This may be localised raising modelling and widespread forward planning to ensure of flood walls, strengthening of sluices and problems not transferred elsewhere; likely to provide bridges, etc., but may also include more feeling of greater security for area and people; could be significant protection through provision of tackled incrementally (topping up as needed), although barrier(s) to prevent sea inundation. to get wide protection extensive work might be needed. While raised barriers keep flood water out, Multiple benefits might accrue from barrier approach the water has to go somewhere. This but there are technical challenges to ensure processes suggests that over time other defences will continue appropriately (e.g. passage of boats, getting have to increase in coverage and potentially balance right to allow brackish areas to remain as such) in height and strength. and high financial burdens.

e Seek to relocate features unable to cope Likely to be medium to high cost, take long time to with changing conditions: Move upstream, happen and be very challenging for certain habitats. to higher ground, or away from area of risk This may not be possible for elements of the historic completely. Some elements would become environment, especially archaeology. Would also create impossible over time, e.g. boat passage challenging governance issues. under low bridges. f Accept that new conditions will prevail and Likely to be low to medium cost. By accepting there current goals and objectives need to change. are inevitable climate impacts that make original goals Likely to relate primarily to managing land difficult, new goals can take clear account of changing and water in different way for different climate, allowing simpler approaches to coping and so outcomes. reducing costs and technical challenges. g Technological changes may be directed Likely to be low to medium cost. By accepting there mostly at human infrastructure (health, are inevitable climate impacts that make original goals education, nutrition) and properties. Instead difficult, new goals can take clear account of changing of seeking to protect riverside properties, climate, allowing simpler approaches to coping regimes repeated flooding could be accepted, with and so reducing costs and technical challenges. objective to minimise time spent out of Innovation may be slow due to relatively low number of action and waste of resources in dealing properties/businesses impacted. with aftermath. At this stage options may seem limited and innovation and fresh approaches would be needed.

The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan 15 5.5 Evaluating and selecting The previous research on engineered barriers must be revisited to understand the technical and adaptation options financial options relating to current modelling. If there are realistic solutions, seeking the necessary We would clearly need more information and finance and permissions will take time. If the stakeholder discussion to evaluate the above solutions are not practicable or affordable, efforts options fully. However, this simple analysis suggests can be directed at finding alternatives. that option (b) would be unacceptable, and the high cost and technically challenging options are not Implementing short-term ‘low regret’ projects will ideal. Revising current goals or policies may have help inform longer-term approaches. merit, provided adaptation actions for one We also need to identify what evidence needs to requirement would not worsen impacts on be collected to improve our understanding about something of equal or greater value. Short-term climate impacts and solutions. This should cover the actions to retain the existing special features of the natural and historic environments as well as existing Broads may be preferable, particularly ‘low regret’ buildings and infrastructure. actions that would not have unacceptable costs or adverse knock-on effects, or severely restrict future adaptation choices.

Our conclusion from this preliminary exercise would be to seek to retain the freshwater elements of the Broads for the time being, in line with current policy. At the same time, we urgently need to apply ‘climate-smart’ thinking to planning and major investment and improve our knowledge about adaptive choices that consider costs and benefits and retain the Broads as a special place, even if we may have to accept that it will not stay the same. Flooding at , River

16 The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan 5.6 Taking the process forward

1. Establish constructive discussions with the Environment Agency and coastal and lead flood risk authorities on research needed to inform a detailed options appraisal.

This would include: • Refreshing the analysis of costs and feasibility for barriers to restrict saline incursion • Initiating the debate about flood protection after the Broads Flood Alleviation Project ends, to have a clear set of options by 2018 • Creating alternative high level scenarios (long-term, 50 years) for the most vulnerable parts of the Broads and coast

2. Provide clear, high quality information to inform public debate about future visions and options for flood management (including information on the natural and historic environments, as well as economic and social needs).

3. Incorporate into the next Broads Plan (to be published in 2017) strategic objectives for water, Flood bank construction, Cut especially flood risk management, that are more responsive to climate change and sea level rise, supported by the key agencies.

Bank re-profiling, Breydon Water

The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan 17 6 Next steps To support these aims we have set up the Broads oCommunity initiative, to involve everyone with an This summary and the full Broads Climate interest in the Broads in discussing and planning for Adaptation Plan will be submitted to a climate resilient future. Government to inform the UK National If you would like further help with your own Adaptation Programme. climate-smart approach or have ideas to share with o The plans were prepared by the Broads Climate the Broads Community, please get in touch. Partnership led by the Broads Authority with representation from Natural England, National Farmers Union, Norfolk County Council, Write to o Environment Agency, local authorities and Broads Community University of East Anglia. c/o Broads Authority 62-64 Thorpe Road Norwich NR1 1RY Over the next three years (2016-19), the Partnership aims to: Email [email protected] • Submit the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan to Government Visit the web site www.broads-authority.gov.uk/looking-after/ • Work with as wide a range of organisations climate-change and communities as possible to develop where you can also find the summary and locally specific climate-smart planning and full Broads Climate Adaptation Plan good practice

• Explore ways to evolve coastal and inland flood risk management across a wide area, through shared responsibility and action

• Build evidence and share understanding on climate impacts and adaptation options • Implement and monitor ‘low regret’ Join the debate adaptation actions

• Incorporate climate-smart planning into the next Broads Plan (2017) and promote the approach in partner plans and strategies

18 The changing Broads... ? A summary of the Broads Climate Adaptation Plan Write to Broads oCommunity c/o Broads Authority 62-64 Thorpe Road Norwich NR1 1RY

Email [email protected]

Visit the web site www.broads-authority.gov.uk/looking-after/ climate-change where you can also find the summary and full Broads Climate Adaptation Plan

Join the debate