New report says London and UK 'underprepared' for climate change impacts like flooding and extreme heat

Key findings include:

• Despite some progress in preparing for the impact of extreme heat and surface water flooding, London is underprepared for the frequency and severity of climate change currently experienced. A “step change” in adaptation planning and investment is needed to allow the capital to withstand the disastrous effects of climate change, such as more intense and frequent heatwaves, more intense rainfall, flash flooding and sea level rise.
• Climate change presents a lethal risk to Londoners with some communities more vulnerable than others, including low-income households, the elderly, minority communities, children and youth and vulnerable health groups.
• The lack of a clear strategic vision from the national government is hindering progress at a regional and local level.
• Adapting London will benefit the UK as a whole, given the capital’s economic importance and the presence of critical national infrastructure, including transport hubs and key hospitals.
• Many other cities nationally and internationally face similar challenges. By showing leadership in the capital, London can be a global trailblazer city, lighting the way for global investment in preparing for climate change.

The Review will present a final report to the Mayor of London later in the year. The interim report’s key recommendations include:

• London should conduct a multi-agency exercise to test the city’s preparedness for a period of extreme heat.
• Whitehall should give councils more funding and powers to adapt their communities for climate change, instead of making local authorities compete for limited central money.
• Improvements are needed to housing standards to ensure homes are resilient against climate change, including heat and flooding.
• Action is needed now to prevent major flooding damage to London, including developing an action plan for where flood defences need be raised before 2050, installing sustainable drainage systems and creating a Strategic Surface Water Authority to tackle flooding caused by heavy rain.
• The Mayor should lead collaborative work with local authorities and the private sector to set out a clear strategic vision for climate adaption in London by 2030.

Emma Howard Boyd CBE, Chair of the Review, said:

“London has many good plans and programmes to prepare for climate hazards but we need to recognise that Londoners now face lethal risks, and a step change is needed. Last year was the hottest on record and this is causing chaos and disruption all over the world. London is not immune, as shown by the flash floods in 2021 and a 40-degree heatwave in 2022.

“I am really pleased that the Mayor has agreed to support an exercise to prepare for even more severe heatwaves than we saw in 2022. This is a positive step that will help London organisations plan to protect more Londoners in future shocks.

“In the absence of national leadership, regional government has a more significant role to play. We need pace not perfection. It’s time for the UK, led by its cities and regions, to take action and prioritise adaptation. That is an opportunity to make the UK economy more climate resilient, to protect the most vulnerable, to preserve all that we love about London and to show leadership to other cities nationally and globally.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said:

“Work led by City Hall and London Boroughs has long been underway to prepare the capital for the increasing frequency and intensity of climate risks, like flooding, heatwaves and drought. However, the harsh truth is that the increasing frequency and intensity of these events and a lack of action by the Government has left our city - and nation - vulnerable to extreme weather.

“I welcome these recommendations and have proposed in my latest budget an additional £3 million to accelerate climate adaptation work in London. We will be looking at how we can take forward the recommendations identified so far and urging others, especially Government, to do the same.

“I can also confirm today that the London Resilience Partnership will carry out an exercise later this year to test London’s preparedness for a severe heat episode and that my green finance programme will begin work to consider how adaptation finance, including nature-based solutions, can be accelerated in early 2024.”

London’s main climate risks are:

• Rising sea levels and the need to strengthen the Thames’ defences.
• Surface water flooding, as seen in the past few weeks alone.
• Heat, with London having already hit 40°C for the first time in 2022.
• Drought – if no action is taken by 2050, the UK’s national water supply will face a shortfall of nearly 4 billion litres a day. Lack of water supply will cost London’s economy an estimated £500m a day.
• Wildfires, such as those seen in Wennington in 2022.

Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said:

“The truth is that London is not ready to cope with the likely weather changes ahead. This interim report lays out what needs to happen to fix that, including an honest public conversation about the costs of securing reliable transport and utility services in the face of a changing climate. That requires infrastructure operators to calculate those costs, informed by expert advice from the Met Office. The Commission commends the ongoing work of the Review team and its coherent plan of action.”

Lord Toby Harris, Chair of the National Preparedness Commission, said:

"This is an important review and confirms the Commission’s view that as a nation we should be investing much more in preparedness and resilience, not just against climate change but all the hazards and threats that we face as a country. The review also emphasises the importance of engaging the whole community in improving our readiness to face climate risks: Government, City Hall and the Boroughs must all play their part, but every individual, household and business has an important part to play."

Dr Ashok Sinha, Chair of the London Sustainable Development Commission, said:

"The report’s emphasis on a Just Transition is especially important: this not only means helping workers move from the fossil fuel-based economy into green jobs, but also protecting everyone, especially the most disadvantaged who are most at risk, from killer heatwaves and flooding.

"As the report compellingly underscores, this will require proper devolution of powers and funding to London and its boroughs, deep engagement with all Londoners and support for communities to shape the creation of appropriate local solutions.

“The good news is that effective climate adaptation and mitigation, if pursued hand-in-hand as the report strongly recommends, can lead to real social and economic gains as well as saving lives and limiting global heating.”

Patrick Begg, Outdoors and Natural Resources Director at the National Trust, said:

“As we head towards a General Election, all politicians should give climate adaptation the immediate, unswerving attention it deserves, so the UK can be better prepared for the weather extremes we are increasingly experiencing. We support the review’s timely call for a cross-Government, Cabinet Office Minister for resilience and adaptation, and urge all parties to commit to increase support for nature-based solutions to climate change and to put climate adaptation at the heart of their manifestos.”