To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment her Department has made of its capacity to adapt to climate change; and what plans she has to publish a climate change adaptation strategy. (241176)

The cross-Government Adapting to Climate Change Programme increases Government’s capacity to adapt by ensuring a coordinated approach across all Departments and the public sector. This includes implementation of the adaptation aspects of the Climate Change Act, such as development of the national climate risk assessment.

Information about the programme, and about my Department’s current work to promote adaptation to climate change, is set out at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/adapt/programme/across-government.htm

This includes work on planning, new development, housing and resilience and our priorities for future adaptation action. We are also taking part in cross-government work to support local authorities as they mainstream climate risk into their strategies and services and help their communities adapt to climate change.