Climate Change Risk Assessment

Stay Compliant with the Latest Environmental Agency Requirements

As of April 2024, all permitted waste sites are required by the Environmental Agency to undertake a comprehensive Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA). Whether you’re managing an existing site or applying for a new permit, our expert services can help you navigate these new regulations and ensure your site is fully compliant.

What is a Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA)?

A CCRA evaluates how climate change could impact your waste site, considering potential changes up to a 4°C rise in average temperature by 2100 and planning for a 2°C rise by 2050. This assessment is crucial to ensure your site remains resilient against future climate challenges.

Key Aspects of a CCRA

Our service will help you assess:

Site Vulnerability: Determine how current and future climates might affect your site operations.
Site-Specific Issues: Identify risks such as access problems due to flooding, proximity to wildfire-prone areas, and the potential failure of essential services (water, electrical supply, drainage systems).

Examples of Potential Impacts

Increasing Summer Temperatures: Higher temperatures may increase your site’s water usage, possibly exceeding your abstraction license or permit limits.
Reducing Summer Rainfall: Reduced river flows might impact environmental safety, limiting water availability for dust suppression.
Extreme High Daily Temperatures: Frequent high temperatures can lead to control and monitoring system failures, logistical challenges, and IT system disruptions.
Intense Rainfall or Snow: Heavy rainfall or snow can cause localised flooding, infrastructure damage, subsidence, and unplanned chemical releases.

Sector-Based Impacts

Each sector has unique vulnerabilities. Our team will help you identify climate hazards relevant to your specific business activities, assessing how these could impact your operations under both normal and abnormal conditions.

How We Can Help

Our services include:

Comprehensive site vulnerability assessments
Identification and analysis of site-specific issues
Detailed reporting on potential operational and environmental impacts
Customized adaptation planning to mitigate identified risks

Why Choose Us?

Expertise: Our team of specialists has extensive experience in environmental risk assessments and regulatory compliance.
Compliance Assurance: Stay ahead of regulatory requirements with our up-to-date knowledge and proactive approach.
Tailored Solutions: We provide bespoke assessments and adaptation plans tailored to your site’s unique needs and challenges.

Ensure your waste site is prepared for the future with our Climate Change Risk Assessment services. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards climate resilience.

Contact Us

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please reach out to our team.

Stay compliant, stay resilient, and ensure the longevity of your operations with our expert Climate Change Risk Assessment services.

For detailed guidance, visit the Government’s official guidance on Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Planning.

What is a Climate Change Risk Assessment?

A Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) is a comprehensive evaluation that identifies and analyzes the potential impacts of climate change on a waste management site. It aims to ensure that the site can remain operational and compliant under future climate conditions.

Why is a CCRA important for waste management sites?

A CCRA is crucial for waste management sites to ensure they are resilient against future climate challenges, such as increased temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise. It helps in planning and implementing measures to mitigate these risks and maintain regulatory compliance.

When did the requirement for a CCRA come into effect?

The requirement for all permitted waste sites to undertake a CCRA came into effect in April 2024. This mandate is part of the Environmental Agency’s efforts to enhance the resilience of waste management facilities against climate change.

What specific climate impacts should a CCRA consider?

A CCRA should consider potential impacts such as access issues due to flooding or sea-level rise, risks from wildfires, failure of essential services (water, electricity, drainage), increasing summer temperatures, reducing summer rainfall, extreme high daily temperatures, and intense rainfall or snow.

How should a CCRA address temperature increases?

The CCRA should assess the vulnerability of the site to rising temperatures, including operational impacts like increased water usage, potential failure of control and monitoring systems, and infrastructure challenges due to higher temperatures.

What are the steps involved in conducting a CCRA?

Conducting a CCRA involves:

Assessing the site’s vulnerability to current and future climates.
Identifying site-specific issues and potential climate hazards.
Analyzing the impacts of these hazards on site operations.
Developing an adaptation plan to mitigate identified risks.

What are some examples of site-specific issues a CCRA might identify?

Examples include access issues due to flooding, risks from nearby wildfire-prone areas, failure of essential services, operational impacts from increased temperatures, and challenges from intense rainfall or snow affecting infrastructure and drainage systems.

How often should a CCRA be updated?

A CCRA should be reviewed and updated regularly, especially when there are significant changes in site operations, new scientific data on climate change, or updates in regulatory requirements. It’s advisable to review the CCRA at least annually.

How does a CCRA benefit environmental management systems (EMS)?

A CCRA provides valuable insights that can be integrated into the site’s Environmental Management System (EMS), enhancing its effectiveness in managing environmental risks. It ensures that climate change considerations are included in the site’s overall environmental strategy.

Where can I find official guidance on conducting a CCRA?

Official guidance on conducting a CCRA can be found on the Government’s website under the section on Climate Change: Risk Assessment and Adaptation Planning. This resource provides detailed instructions and best practices for completing a comprehensive CCRA.