Abstract

In 2002, the Centre for Sustainable Heritage was commissioned by English Heritage to carry out a scoping study on climate change and the historic environment, including buried archaeology, historic buildings, parks and gardens (Archaeology Commissions PNUM 3167). The start of the study coincided with the publication of the current UKCIP02 climate change scenarios. The final report has been prepared by Professor May Cassar, while the original research was carried out by Dr Robyn Pender. However, such a report is never the product of one or two individuals. There were numerous other collaborators in the study including Professor Bill Bordass (William Bordass Associates), Jane Corcoran (Museum of London Archaeology Service), Professor Lord Julian Hunt (UCL), Taryn Nixon (Museum of London Archaeology Service), Professor Tadj Oreszczyn (UCL) and Professor Phil Steadman (UCL). English Heritage’s interests were represented by Mike Corfield and latterly by Bill Martin. UKCIP through Dr.Richenda Connell provided scientific advice during the editing of the report. The study could never have been carried out without strong regional participation from heritage managers in the East of England and the North West of England as well as scientists and policy makers. It is intended that this report will make a contribution to the debate on the impact of climate change on the historic environment. Its recommendations and the gaps in information and research that it has identified should be the focus of discussion and timely resolution.