Reacting to the CCC’s Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk
report, Environmental Audit Committee Chairman, Rt Hon MP, said:
“The Climate Change Committee’s important report emphasises the
need to focus on adaptation efforts in the UK to cope with
practical consequences of climate change on our environment, and
the way we live our lives.
“It is of great concern that the gap between the level of climate
risk that we all face and our plans to adapt to it has widened in
the last five years. While the Government has been focussing on
meeting net zero, it has forgotten about the risks to soil health
and subsequent disruptions to food supply. It has also forgotten
about preparing for the impacts of heatwaves, where the 2018
heatwave will become 50% more likely in 2050. Our Committee
raised concern about the lack of preparedness for heatwaves in
our 2018 report, warning that there will be 7,000 heat related
deaths every year if the Government does not take action. Net
zero and adaptations must be tackled in tandem if we are to
mitigate the risks that come with a warming climate.
“Against this backdrop of the dangers we face, the CCC has made
some practical recommendations, such as increasing investment in
flood defences, harvesting more rainwater and forecasting and
early warning systems so we can adapt to each risk accordingly.
“I encourage the Government to take this report seriously. In our
future work programme we will consider how we can help focus on
some of the adaptation solutions identified by the CCC.”
