Independent advisory Climate Change Committee raised fears that spending needed to protect communities and critical services such as the NHS from worsening weather extremes could be cut in the summer spending review.
In a new report released by the committee, they’ve warned there has been no improvement since its last assessment in 2023, and accused the new government of failing to deliver the change in approach needed.
The report warns that 6.3 million homes and properties in England are currently at risk of flooding, which is set to rise to eight million, one in four, by 2050.
We have published our advice on the Seventh Carbon Budget. It is in line with previous Government commitments – the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Carbon Budgets, international commitments, and the Net Zero commitment in 2050. pic.twitter.com/mLjmyYpuQl
— Climate Change Committee (@theCCCuk) February 26, 2025
Adding that early deaths from heatwaves are projected to rise from the 3,000 seen in 2022’s record hot summer to 10,000 a year by mid-century.
UK warned to act or risk ‘climate disaster’
The committee warns that without action to stop climate change, the UK will suffer a 7% hit to its economic output by 2050.
While rising sea levels are worsening coastal flooding and extreme temperatures and drought drive an increased number of wildfires.
Half of the UK’s prime agricultural farmland is already at risk of flooding, which is set to worsen, while schools, hospitals and care homes are among the most vulnerable to impacts such as heatwaves.
The Committee has published its advice to Government on the UK’s nationally determined contribution, recommending an 81% reduction in emissions by 2035. More: https://t.co/Z2PFCngj9z
— Climate Change Committee (@theCCCuk) October 26, 2024
The committee’s assessment looked at 46 areas where adaptation needed to be delivered, and found only good progress for three: making rail and strategic road networks reliable and ensuring risks were properly disclosed and managed by financial institutions.
The committee warned that delivery had actually worsened in the water sector due to a lack of credible plans to cut leaks and reduce water demand in the face of worsening drought risk.
It added that the previous government’s action plan fell short of preparing the UK for the climate change already being experienced and found little evidence of changes despite Labour’s manifesto promising to “improve resilience and preparation” for the country.
The committee’s chairwoman, Baroness Brown said: “People are worrying about the impacts of extreme weather, worrying about food prices.
“People are worried about what’s going to happen to their vulnerable friends and relatives.
“Despite all this, we are seeing no such change in activity from the new government, despite the fact that it’s clear to my committee, it’s increasingly clear to the public that the current approach to adaptation policy just isn’t working.”
Sharing how the UK can act to help tackle climate change, the report lays out measures including:
- Building new resilient hospitals
- Retrofitting existing hospitals with air conditioning and green roofs for cooling
- Standards for new homes need to prevent overheating and ensure they are not at risk of flooding
- The 25-year farming plan and food strategy should all support efforts to adapt nature and food production to the changing climate
- The level of personal protective equipment (PPE) still being used post-COVID needed to be reviewed, to reduce costs and plastic waste
- The government needs to improve its objectives and set clear targets for what needs to be achieved.
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A Government spokesperson said they would carefully consider the findings of the committee’s report.
They added: “Alongside our transition to become a clean energy superpower and accelerating towards net zero, the Government is taking robust action to prepare for the impacts of a changing climate.
“We are investing a record £2.65 billion to repair and build flood defences, protecting tens of thousands of homes and businesses and helping local communities become more resilient to the effects of climate change such as overheating and drought.”
