Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) tool, Phase 2 (2025-26).

Natural England has implemented a SSSI Future Reforms (SSSIFR) project to investigate whether the statutory framework for Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) will support the natural world’s increasing dynamism as it responds to climate change. This includes whether the legal framework will need to evolve to better protect habitats and species during rapid ecological change.

These reforms have also included development of a Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) that has now been embedded within the Whole Feature Assessment (WFA) and Pressures System as part of SSSI condition monitoring reform, from April 2023. Sites identified at high risk (scoring 4/5) to Climate Change trigger the need to develop an Adaptive Delivery Plan (ADP) to carry out a more in-depth evaluation of climate change vulnerability and identify adaptation responses based on the Resist–Accept–Direct (RAD) Framework developed by the US National Park Service.