1.0 Introduction
1.1 This is Coventry City Council's first report Adaptation Reporting Power (ARP) Report for submission to DEFRA. Coventry City Council is part of the Government’s Local Authority Pilot programme for ARP4. The Council is committed to working in partnership with various stakeholders in the private, public and voluntary sector in developing a more resilient city that can withstand and adapt to the effects of climate change.
1.2 This report summarises our efforts to integrate climate adaptation into our municipal planning and operating processes which are aimed at improving our adaptation to the effects of climate change and the strengthening of the city’s resilience for the benefit of community's wellbeing and infrastructure.
About Coventry
1.3 Coventry is a historic city located in the West Midlands approximately 19 miles east-southeast of Birmingham and 94 miles northwest of London.. The Meriden Gap, a green belt area, separates Coventry from Birmingham, highlighting its distinct geographical identity within the Midlands
It is the second-largest city in the region (after Birmingham), with a population at the time of the last census in 2021 of 345,324, with one of the fastest growing populations within the region an 8.9% increase over the past decade. While population projections are uncertain due to factors such as Brexit and the pandemic the number is currently estimated to be close to 450,000.
1.4 The City is also characterized by its youthful demographic, with a median age of 35 yrs, largely influenced by the presence of two universities (Coventry University & University of Warwick).
1.5 Two tributary rivers that are part of the River Avon Warwickshire Catchment (, the River Sherbourne and the River Sowe flow through the City. The source of the Sherbourne is approximately 13 miles North West of the City in Corley Moor and the Sowe flows from Bedworth some 5 or so miles North of the City. It must be said they are far from distinctive features in the Cityscape the water courses running through the City Centre are predominantly culverted and are therefore in the main, hidden from view. The drainage system is built to older standards and has not been upgraded and does not have sufficient capacity to deal with periods of high rainfall which overloads resulting in the increasing incidence of surface water flooding. The lack of a significant blue green infrastructure in the city centre is a clear disadvantage for creating a cooler atmosphere and microclimate for those area most at risk.
1.6 This growth rate surpasses both the national average and the regional average for the West Midlands. The city is characterized by its youthful demographic, with a median age of 35, largely influenced by the presence of two universities (Coventry University & University of Warwick). While population projections are uncertain due to factors such as Brexit and the pandemic, Coventry remains one of the fastest-growing populations in a local authority within the region.
1.7 Coventry's rivers face significant challenges regarding water quality and significant seasonal fluctuations in water levels with drought and flooding. There are also concerns regarding water quality. The city has experienced issues with wastewater discharge, including untreated sewage, which has led to increased levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria downstream of the treatment works. This situation is exacerbated by the frequent discharge events that occur even during normal rainfall, indicating a cumulative overload on the sewage and wastewater systems.
1.8 Over the past decade, Coventry has faced several extreme weather to flooding and sewage overflow issues and over 10,560 properties in the city have been identified at risk of flooding, water levels in rivers and watercourses are low in the summer months so much so that businesses in both industry, leisure and agriculture will not be granted any new abstraction licenses during the summer months and extreme heat has disrupted rail passenger and freight services.
1.9 These events highlight the city's vulnerability to climate change impacts, necessitating the need for a robust adaptation and resilience strategy to address and where possible mitigate future risks. This has resulted in the City Council taking a leading role in developing a citywide Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy and Plan to fully understand climate vulnerability and develop a multi-agency plan to help adapt and mitigate against climate risks.
1.10 As a consequence of these identified risks and other concerns the City Council with the support of the Climate Change Board’s Adaptation and Resilience Pathway Group undertook a risk assessment based upon those identified national risks which the Group felt to be potentially applicable to the City area.
Organisational profile
1.11 Coventry is located in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom and operates under a unitary authority governance structure with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). The city is administratively divided into 18 Wards, each represented by three elected members of Coventry City Council and has three civil parishes in Allesley, Finham and Keresley, the rest of the city is unparished.
1.12 In areas such as transport, economic development, and emergency services, where collaboration with the WMCA is essential, Coventry City Council focuses on local execution and detailed community-focused adaptation measures, while the WMCA addresses broader, regional strategies and infrastructure projects. Coventry borders with Warwickshire County Council, a non-constituent member of the WMCA and works to coordinate cross-border functions where appropriate.
Local responsibilities
1.13 The following are the responsibility of the City Council as a unitary authority
- Urban Planning and Development: The Council directly manages local urban planning initiatives, including the preparation and implementation of the Local Plan, land use zoning, local road maintenance, and small-scale flood defence systems within the city's boundaries.
- Community Services: The Council oversees public health, social services, and local education adaptations to climate impacts, ensuring that schools and healthcare facilities are resilient to climate-related disruptions.
- Transport: The Council is the Local Highway, Traffic and Streetworks Authority, responsible for the management of the local highway network. The WMCA is the Local Transport Authority, responsible for strategic transport matters including the Local Transport Plan and public transport services, as well as the Key Route Network. These responsibilities are discharged through Transport for West Midlands (TfWM). In addition, CCC liaises closely with Warwickshire County Council, the Local Highway Authority for Warwickshire, on cross boundary transport matters.
- Business Continuity: Coventry City Council plays a pivotal role in ensuring community resilience against the impacts of climate change. With increasing risks from extreme weather events such as flooding, heatwaves, and storms, Coventry City Council should consider climate adaptation strategies into their plans. This involves assessing potential vulnerabilities, protecting critical infrastructure, and ensuring that essential services can continue during disruptions.
Shared Responsibilities with WMCA
1.14 The following activities are a shared responsibility with WMCA as the Combined Authority
- Transport Infrastructure: While the Council manages the local road network and rights of way, the WMCA is the strategic transport authority responsible for the Key Road Network, public transport policy and services, and the preparation and implementation of the Local Transport Plan setting the overall policy direction. The City Council has a strong commitment to decarbonizing its transport system being the nation’s first ‘Electric Bus City’, developing a significant network of cycle superhighways, investing in the development of Very Light Rail (VLR) as well as having the highest proportion of EV charging points outside of London.
- Economic Resilience: Economic development initiatives related to climate adaptation, such as green job creation and business support during extreme weather events, are coordinated with the WMCA to leverage regional resources and funding, however there is a lot of activity supporting this at a more local level as part of the Council’s Economic Development Plan and Green Skills Strategy.
Scope of report
Coventry recently conducted a city-wide climate change risk and opportunity assessment aimed at identifying and understanding the broad spectrum of climate-related risks that could impact upon the city. This comprehensive assessment is crucial in recognising the various environmental challenges that Coventry faces today and anticipates in the future.
The ‘Climate Change Risk and Opportunity Assessment for Coventry’ has highlighted the important role the City Council plays in managing climate change risks. The City Council's involvement in climate change risk response extends beyond direct management of Council owner assets; it also encompasses significant facilitation and coordination roles. Consequently, the risks addressed in this Adaptation Reporting Power (ARP) report are not confined to Coventry City Council as an entity but are reflective of the broader community's interests and concerns. This report incorporates a detailed analysis of these wider risks, presenting a clear picture of the potential impacts on various sectors and demographics within the city.
Governance, management and strategy
1.15 The climate change risk reporting for Coventry forms part of the broader strategic planning framework known as the "One Coventry Plan." This overarching strategy aims to enhance the quality of life for its residents and boost the overall prosperity of the city. It outlines a collaborative approach involving the Council, its partners, and the community to deliver optimal outcomes for all city residents. The One Coventry Plan prioritises three main areas: boosting economic prosperity, enhancing community outcomes while reducing inequalities, and tackling the causes and consequences of climate change. It promotes innovative methods of working, focuses on key areas, and adheres to core values guiding the Council's actions.
1.16 Coventry’s Climate Change Strategy was developed as a key component of the One Coventry Plan’. In November 2021, the formation of an independent Climate Change Board marked a significant step in the strategy's development and rollout. The Board brings together leaders from the public, private, and voluntary sectors to work on sustainable solutions. Its establishment is a demonstration of the City Council’s proactive approach to bringing various stakeholders together for effectively tackling complex environmental challenges. Over 25 voluntary, charitable, private and public bodies are currently active members of this independent partnership.
1.17 The strategy introduces five specific pathways, each aimed at addressing various climate and sustainability issues. The five pathways are integrated with one another where one inevitably impacts upon the other either in a negative of positive way. For example initiatives to create cooler areas such as turf roofs
1.18 The ‘Adaptation and Resilience Pathway’ is designed to enhance the city’s ability to handle and recover from the negative effects of climate change, like extreme weather conditions but some of the mitigation or adaptation measures can also help to enhance biodiversity e.g. the planting of trees or creating turf roofs etc which are beneficial to pollinator species whilst encouraging species diversity also helps to create cooler locations outdoors across the City. The Nature Based Pathway Group works closely with the Adaptation and Resilience Pathway Group in ensuring that the activities of one helps to benefit the other wherever possible. Similarly the Fairer Green Pathway Group is focused on ensuring that the work of the Adaptation and Resilience Pathway Group does not disadvantage certain members of the city population in anyway e.g. individuals who may be particularly vulnerable due to prevailing health conditions.
1.19 The Adaptation & Resilience Pathway focuses on developing infrastructure and systems capable of withstanding incidents such as floods, heatwaves, and severe storms. It outlines several action areas, with the primary activity being the development of a ‘Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Strategy and Plan’. The detailed risk assessment informs the strategy, and it is intended to provide a robust overview of the city’s exposure to climate risks, assess preparedness to mitigate risks and an action plan in response to ensure that mitigation measures are delivered. The Plan pinpoints local areas vulnerable to flooding and affected by heat stress during the hot, dry summer months. The Plan also considers ways in which to adapt to the anticipated and likely changes in climate.
1.20 In order to implement this action area, the Sustainability and Climate Change service within the City Council have commissioned the development of a citywide climate adaptation and resilience strategy and action plan. The first step in this process involves carrying out a climate adaptation and resilience risk assessment to identify key risks and vulnerabilities.
