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Government Departments: Climate Change

Asked by Dr Simon OpherLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 5 March 2026UIN 116367

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support climate adaptation by Government.

Answered by Emma Hardy

Defra is the lead department for domestic climate adaptation and works across Government, including with the Cabinet Office, in delivering this function. Defra is responsible for coordinating requirements set out in the UK Climate Change Act 2008. This includes preparing a UK Climate Change Risk Assessment every five years, followed by a National Adaptation Programme. While Defra coordinates this work, Government departments have responsibility for managing climate impacts to their policy areas.

Defra is also working with Government departments to develop stronger adaptation objectives and delivery plans for those ahead of the fourth National Adaptation Programme (NAP4) in 2028.

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