fairly large stakes in taking forward adaptation planning for climate change and
water management within the Somerset region. A lot of these groups’ interests are
reflective of the delicate balance between nature and agriculture in the region and
include, for example, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB),
Farming and Wildlife Environment Group, South West (FWAG, SW) and Somerset
Wildlife Trust (SWT). In the context of this current project, FWAG SW, RSPB and
SWT are sub-partners to the Somerset regional pilot.
5.2.3 Drought Governance Context: Managing Water
During Normal and Crisis Periods
Given the complex physical and policy landscape for water management in England
generally, and in the Somerset area more specifically, it is useful to reflect upon
drought governance as it relates to management of drinking water, agricultural water,
and water for nature and biodiversity. Drought is seen to both influence, and be
influenced by, activities related to drinking water, agriculture and horticulture,
industrial activity, infrastructure (e.g. energy provision), navigation, and environmental
protection (fisheries, wetlands, wildlife and plants) (Environment Agency 2015a).
There are a range of planning activities to increase the resilience of the English
water system to short and longer term changes as a result of climate change and
increasing water demand, including actions specifically related to exceptional
drought events. For example, water companies in the UK are required to consider
both supply planning (such as new supply and transfer investments) and demand
management (water efficiency activities, and temporary use bans to restrict
household and business consumption during droughts) as a way to increase the
resilience of the water system to social, technological and climatic change.
Achieving a resilient supply and demand balance has been deemed necessary as
drought and water scarcity (van Loon and van Lanen 2013) are historical features of
the water system in the UK (Rahiz and New 2012; Taylor et al. 2009) and because
climate change will increase the frequency of short-term periods of dryness and
multi-year droughts (Environment Agency 2015a).
The other actions that ensure the UK water system is resilient to changes in
climate are how water is managed during drought and water scarcity events. With
regards to drought governance at the national level, there is an existing emergency
management hierarchy of national, regional and local decision making around
emerging periods of crisis. The drought management scheme that covers Somerset is
the ‘South West Drought Plan’ (Environment Agency 2012a), supported by a
national level drought framework, which was updated in June of 2015 (Environment
Agency 2012b, 2015a). The 2010–2012 drought also led to a recognition of the need
to strengthen the networks that need to be mobilised during drought events (e.g.
Lever 2012; Waterwise 2013). In 2012 a continually functioning national drought
group was set up involving stakeholders from NE, NFU (National Farmers Union),
88
A.L. Browne et al.
water management within the Somerset region. A lot of these groups’ interests are
reflective of the delicate balance between nature and agriculture in the region and
include, for example, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB),
Farming and Wildlife Environment Group, South West (FWAG, SW) and Somerset
Wildlife Trust (SWT). In the context of this current project, FWAG SW, RSPB and
SWT are sub-partners to the Somerset regional pilot.
5.2.3 Drought Governance Context: Managing Water
During Normal and Crisis Periods
Given the complex physical and policy landscape for water management in England
generally, and in the Somerset area more specifically, it is useful to reflect upon
drought governance as it relates to management of drinking water, agricultural water,
and water for nature and biodiversity. Drought is seen to both influence, and be
influenced by, activities related to drinking water, agriculture and horticulture,
industrial activity, infrastructure (e.g. energy provision), navigation, and environmental
protection (fisheries, wetlands, wildlife and plants) (Environment Agency 2015a).
There are a range of planning activities to increase the resilience of the English
water system to short and longer term changes as a result of climate change and
increasing water demand, including actions specifically related to exceptional
drought events. For example, water companies in the UK are required to consider
both supply planning (such as new supply and transfer investments) and demand
management (water efficiency activities, and temporary use bans to restrict
household and business consumption during droughts) as a way to increase the
resilience of the water system to social, technological and climatic change.
Achieving a resilient supply and demand balance has been deemed necessary as
drought and water scarcity (van Loon and van Lanen 2013) are historical features of
the water system in the UK (Rahiz and New 2012; Taylor et al. 2009) and because
climate change will increase the frequency of short-term periods of dryness and
multi-year droughts (Environment Agency 2015a).
The other actions that ensure the UK water system is resilient to changes in
climate are how water is managed during drought and water scarcity events. With
regards to drought governance at the national level, there is an existing emergency
management hierarchy of national, regional and local decision making around
emerging periods of crisis. The drought management scheme that covers Somerset is
the ‘South West Drought Plan’ (Environment Agency 2012a), supported by a
national level drought framework, which was updated in June of 2015 (Environment
Agency 2012b, 2015a). The 2010–2012 drought also led to a recognition of the need
to strengthen the networks that need to be mobilised during drought events (e.g.
Lever 2012; Waterwise 2013). In 2012 a continually functioning national drought
group was set up involving stakeholders from NE, NFU (National Farmers Union),
88
A.L. Browne et al.