Tuesday 04 August 2015
Media Enquiry BBC Guernsey:
Just a quick email to see if it's possible to chat about global rising sea levels.
Yes a written response to 'Is Environment's work on sea defences catering for these sorts of challenges?' by midday would be super!
Environment Department Response:
The States of Guernsey agreed the Environment Department's proposals in its report in September in 2013 for a project focused on preventing coastal flood inundation due to sea level rise predicted with climate change.
This followed the 2012 study of seven localities - Baie de Port Grat and Pequeries; Belle Greve; Bordeaux; Cobo and Saline Bay; Rocquaine and L'Eree Bay; and St Sampsons Harbour with associated area of Grande Havre. These areas were identified by Royal Haskoning (marine and coastal defence engineering consultants), as most vulnerable to impact through rising sea levels. Pembroke was also studied in 2012, as although the surrounding area had not been identified as at risk of flooding with sea level rise the Environment Department was keen to explore the options for managing coastal defence there.
The predicted relative levels of sea level rise, as published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2011 (IPCC), were 0.13m between 2011 to 2031, 0.38m to 2061 and 0.90m to 2111. The IPCC predictions for sea level rise are the most widely used by governments worldwide and, in line with the UK Government, the modelling of Guernsey's coastal defences in the study areas was based upon the IPCC predictions. The modelling illustrated the impact of sea level rise around Guernsey under different wind and tide conditions and the area inland that would be flooded at high tide as a consequence of predicted sea level rise.
As a result of the 2013 States resolution which agreed the coastal areas to be prioritised, the Environment Department is currently working on developing a coastal flood defence for The Bridge, St Sampson, which will be followed by the development of coastal flood defence for Les Banques. These are the two sites that were assessed as the first priorities for protection given the essential island infrastructure and commercial/residential property immediately inland.
The IPCC 5th Assessment Report of 2014 gives projected changes in global mean sea-level rise that are not significantly different to the predictions of 2011.
Contact Information:
Environmental Services Unit
Environment Department
Tel: 01481 717200
