- Attendees
- 1. Review of February Minutes
- 2. Revised proposals to develop an engagement strategy for the business sector (Louise MacAllister, Involve)
- 3. University of Exeter adaptation strategy monitoring indicators proposals
- 4. Recommendations to Feedback to the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Partnerships
- 5. Any Other Business (AOB)
Attendees
| Mark Rice | Environment Agency (Chair) |
| Doug Eltham | Devon County Council (Environment) |
| Emily Reed | Devon Climate Emergency Secretariat |
| William Jackson-Nichols | Devon Climate Emergency Secretariat |
| Sara Gibbs | Public Health Devon |
| Rhys Hobbs | Cornwall Council |
| Claire Below | Cornwall Council |
| Louise MacAllister | Involve |
| Victoria Hatfield | Exeter City Council |
| George Arnison | Environment Agency |
| Ryan Barrett | Network Rail |
| Cara Naden | Somerset Council |
| Richard Sweatman | Local Resilience Forum |
| Donna Sibley | North Devon and Torridge District Councils |
| Liza Oxford | Plymouth City Council |
| Jen Manning | Dartmoor National Park |
1. Review of February Minutes
The meeting began with a review of the minutes from the February meeting. Key points from the previous meeting were revisited, including the initial discussions on developing an engagement strategy for the business sector and the need for a more focused approach to engagement. The February minutes were accepted as accurate.
2. Revised proposals to develop an engagement strategy for the business sector (Louise MacAllister, Involve)
Mark Rice initiated the discussion on developing an engagement strategy for the business sector, following up from the previous month’s discussion. Louise MacAllister provided an update on the proposed outline business plan, highlighting the need to understand existing engagement and identify gaps. The plan involves two stages: understanding current engagement and developing an engagement plan. Forum for the Future was suggested as a potential partner to lead the engagement plan development.
Louise MacAllister discussed the need for a targeted engagement plan focusing on business resilience to climate change. Emily Reed emphasised the importance of a manageable engagement plan, suggesting a focus on sectors most impacted by climate change. Victoria Hatfield suggested targeting the farming and tourism sectors in Devon and Cornwall due to their vulnerability to climate events. Doug Eltham and Claire Below supported a sectoral approach, with initial scoping to identify sectors needing the most support.
Louise MacAllister raised questions about the resources available for engagement and the scope of support that can be offered to businesses. Emily Reed and Sara Gibbs discussed the need to demonstrate the need for funding and the role of organisations like the Southwest Business Council in supporting businesses.
ACTION: Emily Reed to liaise with the Southwest Business Council at the appropriate time for potential support.
3. University of Exeter adaptation strategy monitoring indicators proposals
Emily Reed introduced the proposal to develop monitoring indicators for the adaptation strategy with the University of Exeter. The indicators will help measure progress and preparedness against climate risks. Claire Below suggested aligning the indicators with national reporting requirements to avoid duplication of efforts. Sara Gibbs mentioned the UK Health Security Agency’s tools for measuring preparedness, which could be relevant.
George Arnison suggested that part of the monitoring indicator development should be to consider what good would look like in terms of climate resilience, to allow us to track progress towards these resilience milestones.
ACTION: Emily Reed to finalise the proposal with the University of Exeter.
ACTION: Sara Gibbs to provide information on UK Health Security Agency’s tools.
4. Recommendations to Feedback to the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Partnerships
Emily Reed suggested that the work on engagement strategies and monitoring indicators should be communicated to the Devon, Cornwall, and Isles of Scilly Climate Partnerships. This would ensure that all constituent organisations are aware of the ongoing efforts and can align their activities accordingly if helpful. The group agreed that it is important to share progress and seek input from these partnerships.
ACTION: Emily Reed, Clare Below and Rebecca Williams to update the Devon, Cornwall, and Isles of Scilly Climate Partnerships or equivalents that the CIG is developing an engagement plan for businesses around climate resilience and is developing monitoring indicators against the Adaptation Strategy.
Victoria Hatfield inquired if other councils include climate-related impacts in their corporate risk registers, noting that her council has a separate net zero risk register. Emily Reed confirmed that climate impacts are referenced in their risk register and Doug Eltham added that their corporate risk register includes a high-scoring risk related to climate preparedness. Claire Below mentioned that one of their seven corporate risks is climate change, covering both mitigation and adaptation. Sara Gibbs suggested gathering information on adaptation plans from climate partnerships.
ACTION: Emily to compile a record of organisations in the Climate Impacts Group and its constituent climate partnerships, or equivalent, and whether they have climate risk registers and or adaptation strategies.
5. Any Other Business (AOB)
Ryan Barrett mentioned the upcoming rapid adaptation pathways assessments for the railway sector, inviting attendees to participate. Rhys Hobbs announced the approval of the Future Bude Coastal Adaptation Project and offered to present an overview at the next meeting.
ACTION: Ryan Barrett to send invitations for the rapid adaptation pathways assessments.
ACTION: Rhys Hobbs to prepare an overview of the Future Bude Coastal Adaptation Project for the next meeting.
