Consultation on the Fifth Round of the Climate Adaptation Reporting Power

Climate change is one of the most challenging issues we face in this country and across the world, and this government is committed not only to reducing its causes but also dealing with its effects. As we continue to work towards net zero carbon emissions – restoring peatland, planting thousands of hectares of trees, improving the way we heat our homes and power our industries – we know that a certain amount of climate change is already locked in and we must adapt to it now and in the years to come. We must prepare for hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters. For more extreme weather events, flooding and wildfires. For the risks that these will pose to our economy, society and environment.  

The Office for Budget Responsibility suggests that unchecked climate change could impact UK economic output by between 3% and 5% of GDP by 2075. In 2025 we experienced our warmest UK summer on record, and some of the driest months over the first half of the year, contrasting with our wettest period between 2022 and 2024. This is not expected to be an anomaly – by 2050 the average UK winter is projected to be around 1.2 degrees warmer than it was on average between 1981 and 2000, and 5% wetter. Meanwhile, the average UK summer in 2050 is projected to be around 1.6 degrees warmer, while an increase in both the intensity of rainfall, and the number of wet days, will contribute to sea-levels around 10-30cm higher than in 1981-2000. 

To manage the risks that these changes bring, this government is already investing a record of at least £10.5 billion in flood defences and £15 million in applied climate adaptation research, as well as strengthening long-term climate adaptation action by setting stronger objectives based on a common planning assumptions – ensuring policies align with our ambition. 

A well-adapted UK cannot be achieved through central government action alone. Private organisations, regulators, local authorities, arm’s length’s bodies and others play important roles in providing the infrastructure and services on which we all rely. Since its first round began in 2009, climate adaptation reporting under the Adaptation Reporting Power has helped ensure that important public and private sector organisations take a structured approach to managing climate risk and share information about their preparedness with government and the public. The total number of organisations and sectors involved in reporting has increased with every subsequent round and every report, whether from a new or returning organisation, helps build the picture of adaptation across the UK and support organisations to build their capability on climate risk management. 

As we approach round 5, we are keen to hear your views on two main developments. Firstly, the targeted use of the legal power to compel reporting where there are gaps.  Secondly, the inclusion of strategic authorities, following the pilot of local authority reporting in round 4. This would be accompanied by further guidance and support and a return to the standard reporting window of 3 years (from 1 year in ARP4).

Your feedback will be invaluable as we look towards the publication of our final round 5 strategy. I encourage all your views, whether you are new to the process, an experienced reporting body, or any other stakeholder, and thank you in advance for sharing them with us.

Emma Hardy MP

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Water and Flooding)