Managing the inevitability of climate change

William Barne, Regional Director of Lycetts’ Edinburgh office, looks at the impact of climate change and outlines steps rural businesses can take to minimise the risks associated with extremes of weather.

We cannot escape the fact that climate change is transforming the predictability of our seasons. The subsequent unexpected weather patterns can have potentially devasting consequences on rural business.

More frequent and intense drought, storms, flash floods, heat waves, wildfires and rising sea levels can all wreak havoc on the planet’s ecosystem and people’s livelihoods. Despite ambitious targets to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, the impact of further climate change in the UK is inevitable. The chances of hot summers like 2018, for instance, are predicted to rise to 50% by 2050.

As dangerous weather events become more frequent and more severe, there are several proactive steps businesses can adopt to mitigate their risk – and even find a competitive advantage in a weather-constrained world.

Businesses should seek advice about specialist insurance and have risk assessments in place to protect against the increased incidence of weather extremes and weather uncertainty.

By working with an experienced broker who understands the nuances of your business, you will be able to put policies in place that will safeguard your livelihood should the worst happen. They will help protect you against financial losses due to adverse weather conditions with income protection advice and specialist insurance products to cover most aspects of rural business from livestock and crop yields to farm equipment and event cancellations.

Health and safety should be a primary consideration for all business owners and there are many issues relating to icy and snowy conditions.

Businesses which use machinery will need to take steps to safeguard their staff, animals and equipment. A plan for clearing and gritting paths and roadways is advisable. Water supplies need to be managed, ensuring animals have constant access and crops are protected by alternative irrigation or drainage systems.

A management plan for extreme weather conditions should be part of every Health and Safety policy covering human or animal evacuation plans and access to equipment required in the event of a flash flood or wildfire from simple sandbags to specialist fire safety equipment.

To end on a positive note, businesses can promote their climate-change credentials to gain a competitive advantage.