Cardiff Met expert appointed to help shape the future of the River Taff

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has appointed Dr David Clubb, Head of Climate Action at Cardiff Met, as the independent chair of a new partnership that will help tackle flooding, restore nature and improve resilience across the River Taff catchment.

David will lead the newly established Taff Catchment Partnership, which will bring together communities, organisations and businesses from across the River Taff catchment, stretching from Bannau Brycheiniog to Cardiff Bay.

The partnership aims to develop a shared, long-term approach to addressing some of the area’s most significant environmental challenges, including flooding, climate change and biodiversity loss.

People living and working throughout the Taff catchment continue to experience the impacts of flooding on homes, businesses and local infrastructure. With climate change expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall, managing flood risk is becoming an increasingly important priority for communities across South Wales.

The Taff Catchment Partnership will bring together public bodies, environmental organisations, landowners, water companies, businesses and local communities to identify actions that deliver benefits for both people and nature. These may include improving water quality, restoring habitats, creating more natural approaches to water management and supporting communities to become more resilient to flooding.

David said:

“The River Taff is one of Wales’ most important river catchments, supporting communities, businesses and wildlife from the uplands to the coast.

“By working together, we have an opportunity to develop a shared long-term plan that helps communities adapt to climate change, reduces flood risk and improves the environment for future generations.”

The appointment marks an important step in the development of NRW’s Strategic Taff Catchment Approach, which aims to bring organisations and communities together to find long-term solutions to the challenges of creating a more flood resilient River Taff.

As Chair, David will help drive a collaborative approach that supports communities, protects the environment and improves resilience across the catchment for generations to come.