Archived decisions

7. The BRANCH project's aim is to develop, trial and promote the policies and tools necessary for Europe's biodiversity to adapt to the predicted impacts of climate change. This will be achieved through the following actions:

    (i) policy review and new policy framework;

      (ii) review of the potential range of impacts of climate change on European biodiversity;

      (iii) development of new tools to tackle the impacts of climate change on estuarine and coastal areas;

      (iv) providing solutions for inland ecosystems and ecological networks; and

      (v) communication, training and advocacy: influencing improvements to European policies and regional/national strategies.

8. The project is scheduled to commence in October 2004, and has a three year timetable. The total cost of the Hampshire County Council element of the project is £77,897 over three years. This commits the County Council for a modest staff resource that is already working on climate change. The Interreg process will provide match funding for the work that the County Council is proposing. All the work elements that the County Council will undertake will be met through existing funded posts within the Environment Strategy Group.

9. The BRANCH project includes partners from the UK, Holland and France: English Nature (lead partner), Environment Agency, Kent County Council, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Environmental Change Institute, Alterra (Dutch partner), Province of Limburg (Dutch partner) and Conservatoire du Littoral (French partner).

10. The County Council will gain in the following ways through being a partner in the BRANCH project:

      (i) inform the County Council's response to climate change, in particular with respect to biodiversity and the corporate aim of Stewardship of the Environment;

      (ii) inform the developing regional spatial strategy processes, and European Spatial Development Perspective;

      (iii) inform Natura 2000 legislation in respect to designated sites, in particular Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation in Hampshire; and

    (iv) draw in external funding to undertake this work.

11. The English Nature contract has been scrutinised and approved by the Chief Executive's Department.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

BRANCH Bid to NWE secretariate (Part A)

BRANCH Bid to NWE secretariate (Part B)

Environment Department

Environment Department

8812/CB/AW