CCRA4 Independent Assessment (CCRA4-IA) Technical Report Webinar (15 July 2024)

A summary of the CCRA4-IA Technical Report Webinar

Webinar Summary

On 15 July 2024, we hosted a webinar to provide more detail about the next Climate Change Risk Assessment Independent Assessment (CCRA4-IA) Technical Report and how people can be part of the process to inform the Fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment – Independant Assessment (CCRA4-IA) and sharing experiences of the impacts of climate change, relevant new academic research or infomation contained within grey literature as well other forms of peer reviewed publications published since the last CCRA3.

The CCRA4 Independent Assessment (CCRA4-IA) Technical Report is recognised as a vital component of the CCRA4 risk assessment and a statutory requirement of the Climate Change Act (2008). The new assesment will be delivered in 2026 and will provide an updated assessment of the risks and opportunities presented by our changing climate and the potential for adaptation to address them. It will build on the previous assessment (CCRA3-IA).

The webinar is available to watch on our YouTube Science and Services channel. 

Speakers 

  • Mark Harrison, Strategic Head for UK Applied Science - Met Office 

  • Florence Bates, Head of CCRA4-IA - Climate Change Committee 

  • Jason Lowe, Principal Fellow and Head of Climate Services for Government - Met Office / Chair in Interdisciplinary Climate Research - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures 

  • Rachel Perks, Manager Climate Resilience - Met Office

Summary of Webinar discussion 

Introduction  

The webinar was hosted by Mark Harrison and included presentations by Florence Bates, Jason Lowe and Rachel Perks.  The focus was on the fourth iteration of the independent assessment of the risks and opportunities that climate change presents to the UK. This session covered plans for the CCRA4-IA Technical Report. A Q&A session provided space for the audience to engage. The importance of the Technical Report lies in its role as a synthesis of the latest evidence base. This assessment is crucial for understanding the risks and opportunities climate change poses to the UK.  

What is the Technical Report?  

Florence Bates provided an overview of the technical report.  

The Technical Report is a critical component of the CCRA4-IA and focuses on synthesising the most up-to-date evidence on climate risks and opportunities. It is being delivered by a consortium led by the Met Office and involves a thorough review of published evidence to identify and assess climate risks and the urgency of actions needed. This report builds on previous assessments, ensuring continuity and comparability. It aims to be authoritative, evidence-based and accessible to and usable by policymakers. 

How the Technical Report Fits into the Wider CCRA4-IA 

The CCC's independent assessment of climate change risks is commissioned by the UK Government and devolved administrations to evaluate the risks and opportunities posed by climate change, ensuring that policies are based on the latest evidence and scientific understanding. The Technical Report underpins the entire CCRA4 process by providing the evidence base for other key outputs: 

  • Well Adapted UK Report: This new product will deliver innovative analysis on effective adaptation practices for key risks, detailing costs and benefits of adaptation actions, and setting targets for long-term policy direction. 

  • Statutory Advice Report: The Climate Change Committee will provide independent advice on necessary policy actions, highlighting near-term opportunities for adaptation.

These products collectively contribute to the UK Government's climate change risk assessment, informing the national adaptation plans expected in 2028. 

Introduction to the Consortium 

Mark Harrison introduced the consortium responsible for the Technical Report, emphasising the breadth of expertise involved. The consortium includes various experts from the Met Office, academic institutions the private, public and third sector. This team is tasked with delivering the Technical Report through a co-development approach, ensuring that the work is informed by diverse perspectives and stakeholder inputs. The consortium's work is structured to provide a robust and resilient assessment, with co-lead authors for each chapter, supported by continuity authors from previous assessments and fresh eyes to bring new perspectives. The consortium emphasises co-development with stakeholders to ensure the report is comprehensive and relevant. 

Introduction to the Approach 

Jason Lowe elaborated on the overall approach to delivering the Technical Report. The key elements include:  

  • Focus on Changes Since CCRA3: Updating the evidence base to reflect new literature and lived experiences over the past five years. Maintaining comparability with previous assessments is important, refining the urgency scoring framework. 

  • Co-Development with Stakeholders: Engaging with stakeholders to ensure the report addresses the most urgent and relevant risks and ensuring the report is accessible and usable. 

  • Resilience and Quality: Ensuring resilience within the consortium and maintaining high-quality standards through internal and external reviews. 

Methods Introduction 

Jason detailed the systematic approach to evidence gathering and assessment.  The methodology focuses on evaluating changes since the last assessment, emphasising the most urgent risks, and incorporating new scientific literature and lived experiences.  This involves refining the urgency scoring framework and updating the risk descriptions used in the CCRA.  

Call for Evidence 

Rachel Perks later emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement and outlined the timeline and ways for stakeholders to get involved, highlighting opportunities for feedback and collaboration throughout the project.  

Rachel detailed the call for evidence, inviting contributions from a wide range of sources, including academic papers as well as grey literature such as government reports, conference proceedings, and PhD theses. This open call is intended to gather comprehensive input until September 2024, followed by targeted calls to address specific evidence gaps. The evidence collection process is crucial for the deep dives each chapter will undertake into their respective topics. 

Timeline & Ways to Get Involved 

Rachel Perks outlined the project timeline and engagement opportunities. The process involves several phases, starting with setting up and co-developing methods, conducting technical surveys, holding workshops, and producing an interim report by April 2025 for community review. The final report will be published in late 2025. 

Stakeholders are encouraged to participate throughout these stages, providing input and feedback to shape the final assessment. 

Conclusion 

The CCRA4-IA Technical Report aims to provide a robust, up-to-date synthesis of climate risks and opportunities for the UK. The collaborative approach, involving a wide range of experts and stakeholders, is designed to ensure the report's relevance and impact. The call for evidence and ongoing engagement opportunities are vital for gathering comprehensive insights and achieving a high-quality assessment. 

The CCRA4-IA Technical Report aims to provide a critical foundation for understanding and addressing the risks and opportunities posed by climate change in the UK, supporting informed and effective policy decisions. 

The webinar concluded with a Q&A session, allowing participants to ask questions and provide feedback. 

Webinar resources

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