Climate change impact assessment

 

The purpose of this assessment is to help us understand the likely impacts of our decisions on the environment of North Yorkshire and on our aspiration to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2030, or as close to that date as possible. The intention is to mitigate negative effects and identify projects which will have positive effects.

 

This document should be completed in consultation with the supporting guidance. The final document will be published as part of the decision making process and should be written in Plain English.

 

If you have any additional queries which are not covered by the guidance, please email climatechange@northyorks.gov.uk 

 

Version 2: amended 11 August 2021

Please note: You may not need to undertake this assessment if your proposal will be subject to any of the following: Planning Permission Environmental Impact Assessment Strategic Environmental Assessment However, you will still need to summarise your findings in the summary section of the form below. Please contact climatechange@northyorks.gov.uk for advice.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Title of proposal

Flood risk management programme update

Brief description of proposal

Inform on the progress of the flood risk management programme and include additional locations in the programme, for project delivery up to 2030/31

Directorate

Environment

Service area

Highways and Infrastructure

Lead officer

Meirion Jones

Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment

John Ward-Campbell

Date impact assessment started

12/11/2025

 

 

 

Options appraisal

Were any other options considered in trying to achieve the aim of this project? If so, please give brief details and explain why alternative options were not progressed.

 

 

n/a

What impact will this proposal have on council budgets? Will it be cost neutral, have increased cost or reduce costs?

 

Please explain briefly why this will be the result, detailing estimated savings or costs where this is possible.

 

The proposal seeks to commit the flood risk base budget to projects and to allocate funding from the flood risk management reserve to its intended use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How will this proposal impact on the environment?

 

N.B. There may be short term negative impact and longer term positive impact. Please include all potential impacts over the lifetime of a project and provide an explanation.

Positive impact

(Place a X in the box below where relevant)

No impact

(Place a X in the box below where relevant)

Negative impact

(Place a X in the box below where relevant)

Explain why will it have this effect and over what timescale?

 

Where possible/relevant please include:

·      Changes over and above business as usual

·      Evidence or measurement of effect

·      Figures for CO2e

·      Links to relevant documents

Explain how you plan to mitigate any negative impacts.

 

Explain how you plan to improve any positive outcomes as far as possible.

Minimise greenhouse gas emissions e.g. reducing emissions from travel, increasing energy efficiencies etc.

 

Emissions from travel

 

X

 

n/a

n/a

 

Emissions from construction

 

X

 

Many of the new projects will require feasibility work which may lead to construction however none of the recommendations of the report at this stage involve commitment to construction of new projects. Projects already in delivery have gone through their own individual climate change impact assessment as part of options appraisal and project approval. 

n/a

 

Emissions from running of buildings

 

X

 

As above

n/a

 

Emissions from data storage

 

X

 

 

n/a

 

Other

 

X

 

 

n/a

 

Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic

 

X

 

 

n/a

 

Reduce water consumption

 

X

 

As above

n/a

 

Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)

 

X

 

 

Flood mitigation projects can have positive secondary impacts on water quality.

n/a

Partnership working with responsible organisations to maximise shared benefits

Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers

X

 

 

Flood risk mitigation is aimed to increase resilience to flood events which are projected to increase with the changing climate

n/a

To ensure projects and modelling/feasibility consider the impacts of climate change and include future expected rainfall patterns.

Enhance conservation and wildlife

 

 

X

 

As above

n/a

 

Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape

 

 

X

 

All projects will consider the character of the location in which they are delivered.

 

n/a

X

Other (please state below)

 

 

X

 

As above

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are there any recognised good practice environmental standards in relation to this proposal? If so, please detail how this proposal meets those standards.

 Working near watercourses. SuDS guidance, Property Flood Resilience Code of Practice

 

 

 

Summary Summarise the findings of your impact assessment, including impacts, the recommendation in relation to addressing impacts, including any legal advice, and next steps. This summary should be used as part of the report to the decision maker.

 

The report relates to the refresh of the flood risk management programme. Flood mitigation offers positive benefits to resilience to future climate change projections and can offer secondary water quality and environmental benefits if delivered sympathetically. Overall, the proposals are anticipated to have a positive impact upon climate change. 

 

 

 

 

Sign off section

 

This climate change impact assessment was completed by:

 

Name

Meirion Jones

Job title

LLFA Team Leader

Service area

Highways and Infrastructure

Directorate

Environment

Signature

 

Completion date

12/11/2025

 

Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): Barrie Mason

 

Date: 19/11/2025