Adapting to climate change

Climate change is already affecting Norfolk, bringing rising sea levels, more frequent flooding, and hotter, drier summers. These changes may affect people's health, particularly during the heatwaves or poor air quality days. Homes and buildings along with other vital infrastructure such as roads, water supplies and electricity networks, will face increased risk from weather-related challenges. 

Climate adaptation is about adjusting to the actual or expected changes in our climate. Even if we manage to rapidly reduce emissions, these actions will help us to manage the risks and build resilience to a changing climate.  

We're working with partners across the county to make sure Norfolk is prepared for the impacts of climate change. This coordinated approach will maximise the effects of climate adaptation and resilience. 

Norfolk Resilience Forum

We are partners in the Norfolk Resilience Forum who provide information to the public, communities and businesses in Norfolk to help them plan and prepare for any emergency that may affect our county. Through the forum, we work with our partners to ensure:

• Emergencies are appropriately risk assessed and planned for 
• Core emergency response capabilities are maintained, and 
• Those most likely and most impactful emergencies including extreme heat, intense precipitation and flood are planned for and rehearsed 

Norfolk Strategic Flooding Alliance

The purpose of the Norfolk Strategic Flooding Alliance (NSFA) is to provide a forum for its constituent members, to work together so that Norfolk communities and infrastructure are safer and more resilient to the risks of inland and coastal flooding and better placed to ensure adequate water supplies during droughts.

The Alliance was formed to improve the countywide response to flooding and flood-related risks and represents a single point of focus and collaboration for water management challenges facing the county of Norfolk.  

You can find more information on flooding from the NSFA website including: 

• How to report flooding or blocked drains 
• Advice on protecting your home or business from floods 
• Ongoing work undertaken by the NSFA 
• NSFA Partners