To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what account he has taken of climate change when estimating the level of protection against flood events for Canvey Island; and what account was taken in the initial design of the protection. (110108)

The effects of climate change which will tend to increase the problem of flood risk (such as sea level rise, increased rainfall and storm frequency) have been taken into account in the planning being undertaken by the Environment Agency for their Thames Estuary 2100 project.

For over a decade, Defra has advised coastal operating authorities of the allowances they should build into the design of coastal defences to take account of sea level rise caused by a combination of climate change and long term geological tilt. These allowances reflect a precautionary approach and are kept under review as further understanding of the likely impact of climate change develops. We have recently issued further guidance to help operating authorities.