Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Rejected
Appoint a lead Minister for Heat Resilience to drive coordinated cross-government action effectively.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government appoint a lead Minister for Heat Resilience to act as a focal point and drive forward coordinated action across government departments, local government, community sector stakeholders and the private sector in this area. (Paragraph 100) A heat resilience strategy
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to appoint a lead Minister for Heat Resilience, stating that existing Lead Government Department structures and Defra's Minister for Nature already provide the necessary coordination and oversight for climate adaptation.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) sets out how the Government is responding to the 61 climate risks and opportunities identified by the Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA). The NAP3 frames risks, including extreme heat risks, within thematic chapters: Infrastructure; Natural Environment; Health, Communities and Built Environment; Business and Industry; and International Dimensions. High temperature risks are set out across these thematic areas, and in line with the well-established Lead Government Department (LGD) model, responsibilities are led by those departments best placed to discharge them - as such, LGDs are responsible for leading work to identify serious risks and ensuring that the right planning, response and recovery arrangements are in place. In terms of overarching oversight, Defra’s Minister for Nature, who holds the climate adaptation portfolio, leads the overall coordination and management of the NAP3, working with the LGDs. Further, cross-government governance structures on resilience are in place.