East Riding of Yorkshire Council adopts Climate Change strategy
Flooding, coastal erosion and heatwaves are set to become more common and severe in the coming decades
Flooding, coastal erosion and heatwaves are set to become more common and severe in the East Riding in the coming decades, with the council launching a strategy to cope.
East Riding Council’s Climate Change Strategy, recently signed off by its Cabinet, warned rising sea levels alone could see 209 homes lost in 100 years as coasts erode.
Council Leader Cllr Jonathan Owen said climate change presented great challenges for the area but also opportunities as the recent COP27 summit focused minds on tackling it.
The leader and Environment Portfolio Cllr Chris Matthews wrote in the strategy’s foreword they wanted to encourage local people and organisations to do their bit to combat climate change.
The strategy, which runs until 2030, comes after the council declared a climate emergency in February 2021 following a review panel’s recommendation and earlier pushes from opposition councillors.
The call for others to help tackle climate change came as figures showed the council only accounts for around one per cent of the area’s carbon emissions.
The strategy stated the East Riding is within the top 10 areas with the highest number of homes at risk of flooding
Around 60 per cent of it and Hull’s population living in the Humber River Basin District are at risk.
Winter rainfall is forecast to be up to 30 per cent higher by 2100 if trends continue and sea levels are set to rise, threatening those living in the basin.
The strategy also warns the East Riding coast, already one of the fastest eroding in Europe, will disappear more quickly as sea levels rise.
The majority of the East Riding coast, around 48km ( almost 30 miles) is made up of soft glacial boulder clay which erodes at an average rate of 4m-a-year.
It would see more than 200 homes lost and threaten holiday and caravan parks as well as major settlements like Bridlington, Hornsea and Withernsea and their tourist economies.
The East Riding’s higher-than-average over-65 population will also put the areea at greater risk from rising temperatures and associated health effects.
Heatwaves are set to become more common causing more people, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, to have more cramps, suffer exhaustion and heat stroke.
Wildlife habitats in the East Riding will also come under threat as will livestock, crops and agriculture.
The East Riding is 93 per cent rural by area and 44 per cent by population, according to council figures.
The council’s 10 priority areas for climate change action, puts transport first.
It was followed by energy, waste, environment, buildings, economy, a net zero council and climate resilience.
Those who took part in a council consultation on the Strategy also named transport, energy and buildings among their priorities.
The council is currently drawing up a more detailed action plan setting out initiatives for the next three years.
The Strategy calls for a faster transition to low and zero emission vehicles and a move to public, active and community travel.
It also calls for moves away from fossil fuel use and more local renewable energy production.
The strategy states that hydrogen power, offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, industrial clustering and biomass use are among the energy opportunities for the East Riding.
East Riding Future Energy Scheme Grants, launched with Government funding, also aim to provide homes with saving measures like air source heat pumps.
The South Withernsea Coastal Defence Scheme is part of its efforts to protect homes and holiday parks from coastal erosion.
Cllr Owen said the council aimed to lead by example in combatting climate change.
The leader said: “COP27 focused the mind on the challenges and opportunities climate change presents at a global level, and from a local perspective this strategy highlights our commitment to tackling climate change in the East Riding.
“Engaging with our local residents, businesses and partners has been key to developing the strategy and we are fully committed to working with and supporting everyone across the East Riding on their climate action.”