12 July 2012
New report from the Committee on Climate Change warns of significant flood risk in UK without more investment.
The progress report provides an assessment from the UK Government’s Adaptation Sub-Committee on how the UK is preparing for flooding and water scarcity in a changing climate. Sitting on the committee is both ECI’s current Director and expert in the field of climate-related risks in infrastructure systems, Professor Jim Hall, and former Director, Professor Martin Parry.
The report concludes that four times as many properties are at risk of flooding in England without action on climate change. It calls for more robust implementation of the planning process in relation to development in flooding risk areas; for more protection dedicated to existing properties in line with the increasing risks posed by flooding; and an increase in efficiency in water use through, for example, metering and pricing.
The report has led to a flurry of media stories including:
- Panel attacks flood defence, BBC online, 11 July 2012
- Warning of significant flood risk in UK without more investment, The Independent, 11th July 2012
- Flood protection to cost UK at least £860m by 2015, ministers warned. The Guardian, 11th July 2012
- Flood warning for homes and businesses, Channel 4 News, 11th July.
The full report can be downloaded from the Climate Change Committee’s website.