Guidance

Food and drink: examples for your adapting to climate change risk assessment

Updated 17 May 2023

Applies to England

Possible impacts and mitigation measures to consider when preparing your climate change risk assessment.

Summer daily maximum temperature

This may be around 7°C higher compared to average summer temperatures now, with the potential to reach extreme temperatures as high as over 40°C with increasing frequency based on today’s values.

Impact 1

There could be an increase in potential for odour generation and amenity issues such as fly infestations from sites which process or produce animal by-products (ABPs).

The mitigation for this could be to:

• make sure you have an odour management plan in place to include appropriate storage, treatment and disposal of ABPs
• consider refrigeration of ABPs to reduce the rate of decomposition and odour generation and increased frequency of removal off-site during hotter periods
• adjust ABP processing throughput rates to take account of deterioration in raw material quality
• review the need for a pest management plan

Impact 2

There could be an increase in the potential for odour generation from effluent treatment systems including storage tanks and lagoons and a reduction in biological treatment effectiveness due to depleted oxygen levels.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• monitor and maintain effluent plant performance to include maintain oxygen levels as required
• increase aeration capacity by deployment of temporary aerators and/or injection of oxygen
• review plant design (including containment and abatement systems) to minimise the potential for fugitive odours

Impact 3

There could be an increase in energy and water consumption due to additional load on refrigeration and cooling systems and the amount of food waste generated due to refrigeration system failures.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• optimise system efficiency and review required capacity
• where waste is unavoidable, ensure that the food waste hierarchy is used for recovery and disposal options

Impact 4

There could be increased consumer demand for some food and drink products affecting raw material consumption and increased emissions from process.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• make sure that design capacity of plant to manage emissions is not exceeded

• identify and implement improvements to cope with peak production levels as required

Winter daily maximum temperature

This could be 4°C more than the current average with the potential for more extreme temperatures, both warmer and colder than present.

Impact 1

Reduced effluent plant performance in colder weather, especially for nitrification for ammonia removal.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• monitor and maintain effluent plant performance
• make sure you have contingency plans in place for periods of reduced removal or treatment efficiency – including buffer storage and measures to reduce influent loading

Impact 2

An increased risk of pipework freezing.

The mitigation for this could be to insulate or provide trace heating for exposed pipework.

Impact 3

Reduced landbank availability for landspreading of waste due to prolonged freeze. This could result in:

• an increased risk of diffuse pollution into watercourses from inappropriate landspreading
• an increased potential for odour generation from sludge storage
• impacts on the business continuity

The mitigation for this could be to make sure you have contingency plan in place for landspreading wastes. These should include:

• reducing waste production at source
• dewatering to reduce waste quantities
• added storage options
• alternative waste treatment outlets such as anaerobic digestion

Impact 4

Variations in vegetable crop quality due to extreme cold weather effects resulting in operational issues at processing sites.

The mitigation for this could be to monitor crop quality for effects of cold weather and adjust processing rates accordingly.

Daily extreme rainfall

Daily rainfall intensity could increase by up to 20% on today’s values.

Impact 1

Flooding could lead to:

• power failure
• process disruption
• infrastructure damage
• restrictions on site access for staff and emergency services

The mitigation for this would be to prepare flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

Impact 2

Potential for contaminated floodwater or surface water run-off from site causing pollution.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• ensure secure storage of chemicals
• maintain drainage systems including interceptors and traps to avoid uncontrolled washout of pollutants

Impact 3

Other related extreme weather events such as storms may damage building structures, with increased potential for fugitive odour emissions.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• assess the potential for storm damage
• repair or maintain building integrity

Average winter rainfall

Average winter rainfall may increase by over 40% on today’s averages.

Impact 1

Reduced landbank availability for landspreading of waste due to prolonged wet weather resulting in:

• increased potential for odour generation from sludge storage
• impacts on business continuity

The mitigation for this would be to make sure a contingency plan is in place for landspreading of wastes. This could include:

• reduction in waste production at source
• dewatering to reduced waste quantities
• added storage options
• alternative waste treatment outlets such as anaerobic digestion

Impact 2

Higher flows to effluent treatment plants affecting plant performance.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• segregate storm water from effluent drains where practical
• provide suitable balancing capacity

Impact 3

Increased risk of flooding and associated impacts as previously identified.

The mitigation for this would be to prepare flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

Sea level rise

Sea level rise could be as much as 0.6m higher compared to today’s level.

Impact 1

Increased risk of flooding and associated impacts as previously identified.

The mitigation for this would be to prepare flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

Drier summers

Summers could see potentially up to 40% less rain than now.

Impact 1

Drought restrictions on direct and indirect abstraction, affecting the availability and quality of incoming water for use within the installation including wet scrubbing abatement systems.

The mitigation for this could be to implement and maintain a water efficiency management plan including:

• minimisation at source
• rainwater harvesting
• options for effluent reuse

River flow

The flow in the watercourses could be 50% more than now at its peak and 80% less than now at its lowest.

Impact 1

Reduced dilution available in receiving watercourse for discharge of effluent, resulting in increased pollution.

The mitigation for this could be to make sure contingency plans are in place including:

• buffer storage
• measures to reduce influent loading

Impact 2

Reduced flow in watercourses may affect the quality of abstracted water.

The mitigation for this could be to investigate alternative sources of water to reduce reliance on abstraction, such as:

• rainwater harvesting
• effluent treatment for reuse

Storms

Storms could see a change in frequency and intensity. The unique combination of increased wind speeds, increased rainfall, and lightning during these events provides the potential for more extreme storm impacts.

Storms and high winds could damage building structures with increased potential for fugitive odour emissions.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• review the design of vulnerable structures and buildings
• review wind loading calculations, providing reinforcement if necessary
• maintain building integrity