While the reduction of greenhouse gases is essential to reduce the extent of climate change, some impacts of climate change are now unavoidable. The natural environment is consequently changing, this is not something that can be solved in the short term and much of the change is locked in due to historic and potential future emissions of carbon dioxide. Without such adaptive capacity to change, we put at risk our rich heritage of landscapes, wildlife and access to them and the services that they provide.
This project aimed to achieve an overview of the vulnerability of the whole of the North West natural environment to climate change. This has not been done in any other region of England as yet and so is the first approach at doing this type of work and develops on from understanding gained in the Cumbria High Fells approach by Natural England.
The results of the project will help identify possible landscape-scale adaptation strategies. For example projects that enable key areas to link together better with others important areas further away, buffer other key areas and allow natural systems the space they will require to change especially on our coast and rivers systems. This will help the North West to maintain the benefits we obtain from ecosystems and landscapes in the face of inevitable changes so reducing the vulnerability from climate change.
Available Publications.
An Assessment of the vulnerability of the Natural Environment to climate change in North West England using the National Character Areas.
Produced by Natural England for the Northwest Climate Change Partnership in October 2010.
National Character Area Reports
For more information please visit the Natural England Climate Change website.
