The recent heatwave has pushed climate change adaptation back up the agenda. Particular sectors, like the water industry, have come under pressure as dry weather has led to a hosepipe ban being imposed in some areas. [1] The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has also called for the Government ‘to redouble its efforts to address the risk from climate change.’ [2] This could open the door for investors in climate change adaptation technologies.
The current heatwave affecting the UK is unlikely to be last of its kind
The current summer is the UK’s hottest since 1976, though there are good reasons to believe these temperatures will become the norm, not the exception. The CCC states that the last four decades have seen substantial human-induced global warming, which has contributed significantly to the increasing probability and severity of heatwaves. It has highlighted that this warming could have significant impacts on various aspects of UK life, including the need for properties to have better shading and ventilation. [3]
The Government’s efforts to mitigate climate change impacts may step up as a consequence
The Government is committed to climate change adaption initiatives, however the heatwave may increase the pressure to do more. The Government published the second iteration of the UK’s National Adaptation Programme (NAP) on 19 July 2018. This outlined several areas in which the Government wants to take action in the future, including action to prevent flooding and overheating of key parts of the UK’s infrastructure. [4] As the UK works to take these plans forward, for example the ambition to create a set of Green Infrastructure standards by 2023, the extreme weather may act as an impetus to seek ideas from the private sector.
Proactive engagement can help businesses shape the future
By taking the chance to show it has serious ideas about how to adapt to climate change industry can help develop policy. In doing so it can ensure the policy framework provides opportunities to companies with innovative solutions.
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[1] BBC News, 29 July 2018, link
[2] CCC Press Release, 24 July 2018, link
[3] CCC Press Release, 24 July 2018, link
[4] Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, The National Adaptation Programme and the third strategy for climate adaptation reporting, 19 July 2018, p.121, link
