National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy

National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy
Name	National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy
Jurisdiction	United Kingdom
Adopted	2011
Agency	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Related	Environment Agency (England), Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Northern Ireland Executive

National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy The National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy sets a national framework for managing fluvial, pluvial, tidal and coastal erosion hazards across the United Kingdom. It coordinates policy instruments, regulatory bodies and investment priorities to reduce risk to people, property and infrastructure while aligning with international frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and obligations under the Climate Change Act 2008. The Strategy integrates scientific assessment, engineering measures and community resilience to support long-term adaptation to sea level rise and changing precipitation patterns.

Overview

The Strategy provides a strategic vision informed by historical events including the North Sea flood of 1953, contemporary incidents such as the Storm Desmond and regional incidents managed by agencies like the Environment Agency (England) and Scottish Environment Protection Agency. It situates national objectives alongside statutory instruments including the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and interacts with spatial planning regimes exemplified by policies from Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and infrastructure planning led by Highways England. Internationally, it references risk governance models used by the Netherlands and floodplain management practices in the United States by agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Policy Objectives and Scope

Core objectives include reducing flood and erosion risk to communities, protecting ecosystems such as the Norfolk Broads and Somerset Levels, and ensuring sustainable use of coastal zones including the Jurassic Coast and the Firth of Forth. It covers interactions with conservation designations like Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Special Protection Areas under the European Union Birds Directive legacy arrangements. The Strategy defines responsibilities for national bodies including Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, delivery partners such as local authorities in England, and delivery mechanisms tied to the National Infrastructure Commission and asset owners like Network Rail and United Utilities.

Governance and Implementation

Governance structures align ministerial oversight by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with operational delivery through the Environment Agency (England), while devolved administrations are represented by Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Northern Ireland Executive agencies. Implementation relies on regional flood and coastal committees informed by scientific partners including the UK Met Office and research bodies like UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, British Geological Survey, and universities such as University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and University of Edinburgh. It draws on professional standards from institutions like the Institution of Civil Engineers and partnerships with insurers such as Association of British Insurers.

Risk Assessment and Planning Measures

Risk assessment integrates hydrological modelling from the UK Hydrological Observatory and coastal modelling informed by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Crown Estate. Planning measures include nature-based solutions exemplified by managed realignment projects at places like Medmerry and engineered defences such as those protecting Thames Estuary assets and Humber Estuary tidal barriers. The Strategy incorporates mapping and data systems like the Flood Map for Planning and coordinates with emergency planning frameworks used by Civil Contingencies Act 2004 responders including Local Resilience Forums and British Red Cross operations.

Funding and Economic Assessment

Funding mechanisms combine capital investment from national grant-in-aid via HM Treasury allocations with local contributions and partnership finance from private stakeholders such as property developers and utilities including Thames Water. Economic appraisal follows guidance from the Green Book (HM Treasury) and cost-benefit methodologies used in major projects evaluated by the National Audit Office and the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. The Strategy addresses insurance market dynamics influenced by the Association of British Insurers and policy instruments like Flood Re while evaluating long-term fiscal exposure to sea level rise scenarios used in Committee on Climate Change analyses.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

Monitoring frameworks use environmental indicators reported by agencies including the Environment Agency (England), Natural Resources Wales, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, with performance oversight by auditors such as the National Audit Office. Evaluation draws on datasets from the UK Met Office and observational programmes run by Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the British Trust for Ornithology where ecological impacts are relevant. Reporting channels include statutory reporting to ministers in Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and parliamentary scrutiny by committees such as the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.

Stakeholder Engagement and Community Resilience

Stakeholder engagement strategies coordinate with local authorities in England, community groups like Royal Society for the Protection of Birds stakeholders in coastal conservation, and voluntary organisations such as the Samaritans for community support during events. The Strategy promotes resilience-building in partnership with housing bodies including Homes England, health services like the National Health Service (England), and educational outreach with institutions such as the National Oceanography Centre and museums like the Science Museum, London. Public awareness campaigns reference best practice from international bodies including the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and regional cooperation through organisations such as the North Sea Commission.

Category:Flood risk management