Flood risk management: exploring novel governance responses to changing patterns of UK flood risk

Climate change research suggests that the frequency and magnitude of floods will become more common as milder, wetter winters and localised weather events become more prevalent. The potential costs of flood damage to the UK... [ view full abstract ]

Climate change research suggests that the frequency and magnitude of floods will become more common as milder, wetter winters and localised weather events become more prevalent. The potential costs of flood damage to the UK economy in twenty-five years have been estimated at £10bn and flooding has been identified as a key risk facing the UK (Cabinet Office, 2015) requiring novel approaches (IPCC, 2012) and new strategic partnerships (H.M. Government, 2010). A flood is indiscriminate and can impact upon individuals, organisations, institutions, and entire societies with both short-term direct impacts as well as longer-term indirect consequences. At the organisational level, preparing for, and responding to the impacts of flooding demands the management of resources within and across organizational boundaries. When constrained by conflicting cultural and institutional forces this presents a complex governance and management challenge. Drawing upon data gathered as part of an ongoing EPSRC funded project, our paper presents findings from the project to provide insights into novel responses to this challenge.

We draw upon the concept of ‘risk society’ (Beck, 1992, Beck and Holzer, 2007) to explore the changing nature of flood risk management and its effects on business organisations. To provide critical insights, we compare two cases of strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing flood risk management and which represent novel governance structures. At the local level, we discuss a ‘business improvement district’ (BID) where public and private sector bodies have joined together with the sole purpose of building resilience to future flooding events. At the national level, we explore Flood Re, the flood reinsurance scheme which has come about through agreement by the UK government and insurance industry and which launches in April 2016. Drawing upon primary and secondary data, including interviews with key stakeholders, we identify both institutional barriers and enablers to the development of novel responses to flooding. Finally, we consider what lessons might be learnt from these initiatives and possible implications for future flood resilience initiatives.