Climate Change
With warmer temperatures, rising sea levels and more and more extreme weather events, Climate Change is a term we are all becoming increasingly familiar with.
In April 2019, the Welsh Government declared a national climate emergency and set out plans to adapt and prepare for the impacts of climate change. As an organisation, we are looking at ways we can reduce our environmental impact and work towards a more sustainable and healthy future for the historic environment and the planet.Climate change and the historic environment
Climate Change can have a direct and sometimes irreversible impact on the historic environment and responses to the climate emergency are becoming firmly rooted in the range of projects we now undertake.
As well as events like flooding and erosion impacting heritage assets directly, efforts to mitigate against the impact of climate change also have the potential to impact significantly on the historic environment.Read on below to find out more about different projects we have been involved with, which link directly to climate change.
Our Work
Our Heritage Management Advisory Service work closely with other organisations, such as Natural Resources Wales, the Woodlands and Rivers Trusts, and the Coal Authority by providing specialist advice about the historic environment in relation to peat restoration projects, woodland creation schemes, river restoration projects and mine remediation works.
While these works look to improve the natural environment and address climate change, occasionally we need to ensure that historic assets are not adversely affected in the process.With funding from Cadw, we have undertaken several projects to assess the impact of climate change on heritage sites within Clwyd and Powys and our field team has also been working on behalf of Natural Resources Wales and the Coal Authority on projects that have developed in direct response to the impact of climate change. Further information about specific projects can be found below.
Rivers – a pan-Wales study
This Cadw funded project identified rivers and riparian environments as being particulalrly vulnerable to climate change.
Read on to see how we are working to enhance existing records of historic assets located along our rivers.
Flood risk and river erosion at Strata Marcella Abbey
Work at the site of Strata Marcella Abbey has been ongoing since 2010.
With funding from Cadw, we have been monitoring the site to see how the frequent flooding in this area has affected the archaeological remains here. Read on for a more detailed report.
Weir modification
Our field team have recently been involved in a number of projects relating to the modification of weirs. This work has been necessary to restore natural river processes and improve habitats.
As many of the weirs are historic structures, archaeological recording and monitoring has been required.
Climate Change and the coastline
CPAT’s field team have been working in unusual conditions upon the north Wales coastline, recording a number of features that have been exposed by recent storms. Although we didn’t get around to building any sandcastles, buckets and spades were definitely required!
Read on to find out what we have been up to.
Mining Landscapes
The Welsh landscape contains 1,300 abandoned metal mines, and while many of the sites include designated and undesignated heritage assets, they also present a legacy of hazards, which if left unmanaged could have a significant impact upon the natural environment.
Read on to find out more about the work our team has been doing recently.