The UK’s climate change committee in their latest report says that there i a striking lack of climate preparation from Government as the signs are that climate change is already upon us
The UK’s first 40OC day, in summer 2022, was the clearest indication that climate change has arrived in this country.
Last year’s record breaking temperatures brought unprecedented heat-related deaths, wildfire incidents and significant infrastructure disruption.
The impacts of climate change will intensify over coming decades, leaving the UK vulnerable without better resilience planning and preparation.
Despite some evidence of improved sectoral planning by Government for key climate risks, says the committee, ‘fully credible’ planning for climate change – where nearly all required policy milestones are in place – is only found for five of the 45 adaptation outcomes examined in their report.
The committee adds that none of the 45 adaptation outcomes was there sufficient evidence that reductions in climate exposure and vulnerability are happening at the rates required to manage risks appropriately. For around one-quarter of outcomes, available indicators show insufficient evidence of progress.
Baroness Brown, chair of the Adaptation Committee, said:
“The Government’s lack of urgency on climate resilience is in sharp contrast to the recent experience of people in this country. People, nature and infrastructure face damaging impacts as climate change takes hold. These impacts will only intensify in the coming decades.
“This has been a lost decade in preparing for and adapting to the known risks that we face from climate change. Each month that passes without action locks in more damaging impacts and threatens the delivery of other key Government objectives, including Net Zero. We have laid out a clear path for Government to improve the country’s climate resilience. They must step up.”
