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Climate Change

Volume 494: debated on Monday 15 June 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of his Department’s potential gross (a) costs and (b) savings arising from its climate change adaptation measures in the next three years. (277724)

It is not currently possible to provide estimates of the potential costs and savings over the next three years. It has, however, been shown in the Stern review on the economics of climate change that timely and well-targeted climate adaptation measures will yield benefits in excess of their costs. Some of these benefits will accrue to Departments as cost-savings over the next three years, with further more significant gains to be made in future years. The main rationale for investment to address climate risk will be to reduce the UK’s vulnerability to longer-term climate change impacts.

The Government are undertaking a climate change risk assessment and economic analysis, which will provide estimates of the costs and benefits of adaptation to the UK. This analysis will be presented to Parliament in 2011.

As the hon. Lady is aware, the Government will also be publishing supplementary appraisal guidance this summer. This will help to ensure that adaptation measures are designed and implemented in a cost-effective manner.