Political opinion: Labour leader calls for urgent climate resilience action following severe drought declaration

Labour's leader on West Sussex County Council has called for stronger action on climate resilience and water company accountability after the Environment Agency declared severe drought in parts of Sussex.

Cllr Martin McCabe, who represents Worthing West and leads the Labour Group on West Sussex County Council, said the declaration should be a “wake-up call” for councils, water companies and government agencies.

The Environment Agency announced the severe drought classification on 15 October following an exceptionally dry spring and summer.

Water levels at Ardingly Reservoir, which is operated by South East Water and supplies communities in Mid Sussex and surrounding areas, have fallen to approximately 19 per cent of capacity.

Cllr McCabe said:

“The declaration of severe drought in parts of Sussex should serve as a serious wake-up call.

“We've experienced months of exceptionally dry weather, and the pressure on our water supplies is now impossible to ignore.

“Residents are rightly being encouraged to conserve water, but responsibility cannot fall on households alone.

“Water companies must do their part by tackling leakage, investing in infrastructure and ensuring our water supplies are resilient enough to withstand increasingly extreme weather.

“People deserve confidence that the companies responsible for providing an essential public service are planning properly for the future.”

Calls for stronger action from West Sussex County Council

Cllr McCabe has also called for drought resilience to be given greater prominence in West Sussex County Council's developing approach to climate mitigation and adaptation.

The Council recently consulted on its proposed approach to climate action, including measures to help communities prepare for the effects of a changing climate.

Cllr McCabe has previously raised concerns about extreme heat, flooding and wildfire risks, calling for greater coordination between local authorities, public health services and emergency responders.

He said: “We cannot keep treating extreme weather as an exceptional event.

“Whether it's prolonged drought, extreme heat, flooding or wildfire risks, West Sussex needs a joined-up strategy that protects our communities and the environment.

“That means identifying the people and places most at risk, protecting essential services and ensuring that public bodies are properly prepared.

“We also need to consider the impact of drought on local farmers, food production, wildlife and our rivers.

“Climate resilience cannot simply be a collection of aspirations in a strategy document. It needs clear responsibilities, measurable actions and a timetable for delivery.”

Tackling the causes as well as the consequences

Cllr McCabe stressed that adapting to extreme weather must go hand in hand with efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

He said:

“Climate adaptation is absolutely essential, but it must not become an excuse for abandoning efforts to tackle the causes of climate change.

“We need to do both.

“West Sussex has an opportunity to demonstrate real leadership by bringing together councils, water companies, the Environment Agency, farmers and community organisations to build a more resilient county.

“The severe drought declaration is a reminder that climate resilience is not a problem for the distant future. It's a challenge facing our communities right now, and we need to act accordingly.”