The Westminster Sustainable Business Forum has published its year-long inquiry, Bricks and Water, which explores how new and existing homes can be made more resilient to climate change.   

The launch event was attended by over one hundred stakeholders including Parliamentarians, civil servants, businesses, academics, and third sector organisations.  Panellists included:

Inquiry Chair, Baroness McIntosh of Pickering introduced the work and drew attention to the range of benefits that Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) can provide in reducing flooding, preventing pollution, and providing space for nature to thrive.

Report author and WSBF Policy Manager, Rob Allen provided a summary of the key recommendations from the inquiry, which included measures to reduce personal water use to below 100 litres per day, faster uptake of property flood resilience measures, and mandatory use of SuDS in all new development in England.

Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Philip Dunne MP highlighted how the inquiry compliments his forthcoming Private Member's Bill, which aims to reduce the amount of pollution entering watercourses as a result of combined sewer overflows.

Flood Re's Chief Executive, Andy Bord, introduced the joint Government and Industry reinsurance scheme and set out Flood Re's proposals to allow home owners to build back better following a flood.

Environment Agency Deputy Director, Daniel Bond, talked about the EA's National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy, which was published this summer and sets out the Government's long-term ambition to help make communities more resilient to flooding and coastal erosion.

If you are interested in participating in our follow-up work to Bricks and Water, please contact WSBF Policy Manager, robert.allen [at] policyconnect.org.uk (subject: Bricks%20and%20Water) (Rob Allen)