“England Unprepared for Climate Change Impacts, Government Advisers Warn”
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has issued a stark warning that England is not adequately prepared for the inevitable impacts of global warming. In a new report, the CCC stated that the government has failed to meet its targets and must undergo a significant policy overhaul to prevent loss of life.
Baroness Brown, chairwoman of the CCC’s sub-committee on adaptation, criticized the government for not taking climate resilience seriously enough. She highlighted the recent extreme weather events in England, which have likely been exacerbated by climate change.
One farmer, Andrew Blenkiron, shared his experience of the challenges posed by climate change on his 6,000-acre farm in Thetford, Norfolk. He has had to adjust his planting plans due to significantly lower rainfall and has invested in reservoirs and altered harvesting patterns to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat.
The UK government responded to the report by emphasizing its efforts to improve climate change resilience, including a record investment of £5.2bn in flood defenses. They pledged to consider the CCC’s recommendations in the upcoming National Adaptation Plan.
The CCC also called for greater consideration of climate risks in supply chains, particularly in the food sector. They highlighted the need for large companies to assess and address climate risks to ensure resilience in the face of changing weather patterns.
In addition to agriculture, the CCC reviewed the government’s plans across various sectors and found that only five out of 45 policy areas had credible climate change plans. They urged the government to extend regulations on overheating in buildings to cover existing homes, as the majority of homes that will be in use in 2050 have already been built.
The report also raised concerns about the vulnerability of England’s internet networks to extreme weather events. The committee found a lack of long-term risk management plans for the crucial infrastructure that underpins the UK’s service-based economy.
Matt Evans, director of Markets at techUK, emphasized the need for better collaboration between industry and government to address these vulnerabilities. While praising local governments for their innovative climate change preparations, the CCC called on central government to provide more funding and region-specific information to support local adaptation plans.
Overall, the report paints a concerning picture of England’s readiness for the impacts of global warming and underscores the urgent need for decisive action to build resilience and protect communities from the escalating effects of climate change.