Defra sets out drought plan guidance for water companies
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has set out detailed guidance for the water companies on how to prepare drought plans, including the environmental assessments, monitoring and mitigation and compensation measures the utilities will need to consider.
Land degradation and declining water resources are growing threats to global security
Land degradation is a growing threat to global security, according to Monique Barbut, Executive Secretary, UN Convention to Combat Desertification, speaking at the global observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification at the EXPO Milano, in Italy on 17th June.
New maps show vulnerability of European cities to climate change impacts
The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a series of interactive maps, illustrating various climate threats European cities face, including water scarcity and flooding, as well as the cities’ capacity to respond.
Leading scientists call for urgent global action on climate change
A new report from some of the world's most eminent scientists is warning that exposure of human populations to extreme weather is set to increase hugely as global climate and population size, location and age continue to change.
United Nations sets out potential worst-weather scenarios for 2050
The United Nations has used videos to set out potential global worst-weather scenarios for 2050 – including mega-droughts, deadly heatwaves, a year’s rainfall in a month and coastal cities under water.
More floods and droughts over next 25 years, chief scientist warns
There is already enough carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to lead to more floods and droughts over the next 25 years, the government’s chief scientist has said.
CIWEM urges local authorities to prepare communities for climate change
Legislators at all levels of government across the globe should take a “resilience-based approach” to plan for climate change, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) has urged.
What is the best way to classify water-stressed areas?
The Environment Agency has launched a consultation asking for views on how to best determine how water-stressed areas of England and Wales are.
Gardening businesses now exempt from ‘hosepipe ban’
The seven water suppliers that currently have Temporary Use Bans - hosepipe bans' - in place announced today that landscaping, turf and gardening businesses are being made exempt from the ‘hosepipe ban’ with immediate effect after it was confirmed that record rainfall had reduced the severity of the ongoing water shortage in the South and East of England.
Drought over for Yorkshire, Midlands and the South West
The wettest April on record and continuing rainfall in May have led the Environment Agency to remove the drought status for certain areas.