Greater urgency required to ensure the UK is resilient to the impacts of global heating

Reacting to the publication of the Third National Adaptation Programme, Signe Norberg, Interim Executive Director at the Aldersgate Group, said: “Adapting to the impacts of climate change is an urgent necessity for all of society – for business, government and local communities. Failure to do so presents a significant risk to both the public and the economy. So, it is positive to see the publication of the Third National Adaptation Programme, which set out key priorities in infrastructure, natural environment, business and the built environment, but more must be done.

“While these are welcome areas of focus, the Climate Change Committee has made it clear that we need to see much higher ambition and stronger delivery. [1] Some progress has been made in this announcement, particularly through the establishment of a Climate Resilience Board to oversee cross-cutting climate adaptation and resilience issues, but it will be imperative that we now focus on implementing adaptation measures across the whole economy. This should be supplemented by interim targets for adaptation so that there is a clear trajectory for Government’s progress on building resilience to the impacts of climate change. [2] Finally, to fully prepare for the impact of climate change, it will be vital to accelerate policy progress on areas that are also vital to the UK’s ability to decarbonise by 2050, such as housing, power and land use.”

FOOTNOTES
[1] Climate Change Committee (2023) Progress in adapting to climate change 2023 Report to Parliament
[2] Aldersgate Group (2023) Net zero policy tracker