BRANCH results and outputs

BRANCH evidence confirms that there is an urgent need for spatial planners to act now to ensure that wildlife can respond to climate change. The final report summarises the project's research findings and recommends how current planning practices should be improved to incorporate adaptation to climate change.

The project's recommendations are supported by a range of modelling results, case studies, policy analysis, stakeholder discussions and transferable tools developed by BRANCH. These have been produced by partners coming together to shared experience and knowledge through five working groups:

• Review existing spatial planning policies (led by Natural England)
• Model how European wildlife will respond to climate change (led by ECI)
• Develop planning options and tools to help tackle the impacts of climate change on our coasts (led by Environment Agency and Hampshire County Council)
• Assess the impact of climate change on inland ecosystems and ecological networks (led by Alterra)
• Engage stakeholders so that adaptation to climate change is integrated at all planning levels (led by Natural England)

A further working group covered Project Management, including finance and project reporting, coordinated by Natural England as Lead Partner.