Cardiff’s devolved administration has set out details of its work to strengthen flood defences across the nation.

The deputy first minister and cabinet secretary responsible for climate change and rural affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, detailed the administration’s advances in a formal written communication.

The statement addressed suggestions put forward in a recent assessment published by the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales.

The document, entitled Building Resilience to Flooding in Wales by 2050, was cited in the statement, which noted that flooding and coastal erosion represent some of the most pressing and observable consequences of climate change.

Mr Irranca-Davies indicated that the measures being implemented would extend into the following Senedd session given the considerable magnitude and extended timescale of the issues involved.

The Welsh Government’s approach draws on several existing policy structures, encompassing the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management, the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Wales, and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Cardiff has acknowledged the requirement for improved coordination between water management, flood risk, planning, and climate adaptation, together with the conclusions of the Independent Water Commission.

Public consultation is currently taking place, with the Shaping the Future of Water Governance in Wales Green Paper available for responses.

Concerning a lasting flood and coastal resilience framework, there exists an aspiration to develop an updated strategy beyond 2030, with provisional approval to move forward during the next Senedd term.

In the meantime, several initiatives, including the wider rollout of Natural Flood Management programmes and strengthened cooperation with local communities and charitable organisations, are being pursued under the existing strategic approach.

Additional elements from the update encompassed the continuation of catchment-based methods to improve neighbourhood flood resilience and engagement with Natural Resources Wales to develop these collaborative arrangements.

The administration has additionally pledged over £5 million towards NFM initiatives for the 2026-27 financial year and is examining options to secure private and joint sector investment to address these crises more efficiently.