[holding answer 6 December 2007]: The Climate Change Bill, which was introduced to Parliament on 14 November, will require Government to assess the risks that climate change poses to the UK, and to report to Parliament. The first national risk assessment, which includes energy issues, will be carried out within three years of enactment of the Bill, with subsequent assessments being published at least every five years. In addition, the Bill will also require the Government to publish and regularly update an adaptation programme. This will set out the Government’s objectives in relation to adaptation to climate change and their proposals and policies for meeting those objectives. As part of preparations for developing this programme, the Government will be publishing an adaptation policy framework in spring 2008 .
BERR has been actively engaged in those adaptation responsibilities included in its remit. The Department’s responsibilities primarily affected by the impacts of climate change include those relating to energy, telecoms and regional economic performance. In relation to the energy sector, there are already a number of existing obligations relating to security of supply which help to ensure that adaptation to climate change occurs. The electricity companies have general obligations in relation to continuity of supply via the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations, which are enforced by BERR. Electricity and gas utilities also have a general legal duty under the terms of their licence to ensure adequate levels of security of supply. These are enforced by Ofgem, which has powers to require electricity and gas utilities to provide it with the information necessary for Ofgem to assess compliance with the duty.
As evidenced by the response during the flooding in the summer, Government are working and will continue to work closely with industry—including telecoms—to ensure that services are restored to customers as soon as possible following any weather-related or other events which may cause disruption to service.
In relation to the Department’s regional responsibilities, the Review of sub-national economic development and regeneration published in July indicated that it was essential for every region to plan to ensure that it is resilient to a changing climate. The review confirmed that the Government propose to give the regional development agencies executive responsibility for developing single integrated regional strategies which set out the economic, social and environmental objectives for each region.