Yorkshire Adaptation Pathway Project
The Yorkshire Adaptation Pathway Project is developing adaptation pathway approaches in both South and West Yorkshire. We will share the knowledge, learning and recommendations from both projects to help others exploring how to adapt to a changing climate.
What is the South Yorkshire Adaptation Pathway Project?
The South Yorkshire Adaption Pathway (SYAP) project aims to develop an adaptation pathway plan for South Yorkshire. We want to ensure that all decision-making on, and implementation of, long-term, future adaptation is as efficient and effective as possible. The precise nature of future flood risk in the River Don catchment is currently unknown. Taking an adaptation pathway approach will allow us to tackle this uncertainty. The SYAP project will develop an adaptation pathway framework and approach for South Yorkshire.
The SYAP will complement existing projects in South Yorkshire, e.g. the Connected by Water Partnership(External link), which comprises a wide range of stakeholders responsible for water management. The partnership published a ‘Connected by Water’ plan(External link) in 2022, setting out the actions that the alliance will take to reduce the risk of flooding and develop more resilient communities.
The South Yorkshire Citizens’ Panel
As part of the Adaptation Pathways Programme, the Environment Agency is testing different ways of engaging local communities in flood risk planning. In South Yorkshire, it convened a panel of twenty citizens from across the region to consider the question: With more extreme weather events occurring every year, how should South Yorkshire prepare for the increased risk of flooding?
Over five sessions held in September and October 2023, the panel members learned about the risks and impacts of flooding in South Yorkshire, and how individuals and communities will need to adapt in response to climate change. In the final two sessions, they discussed different options to manage flood risk and came up with a set of recommendations. You can read their recommendations in the summary report.
What is the West Yorkshire Adaptation Pathway Project?
The West Yorkshire Adaption Pathway (WYAP) project is developing a community-scale surface water flood risk adaptation plan for a town in West Yorkshire. The Environment Agency is working in partnership with Leeds City Council, Wakefield Metropolitan Borough Council and the community to deliver this exciting project.
The WYAP project will explore how an adaptation pathway approach could reduce the impact of flooding on communities. It will develop an approach for engaging and communicating with stakeholders about surface water flood risk and different climate scenarios to increase knowledge, preparedness and resilience.
Where can I find out more information?
To find out more information about the South and West Yorkshire Adaptation Pathway Projects please contact: YorkshireAP@environment-agency.gov.uk(External link)