The Climate Change Committee (CCC) recommends setting stronger government targets and establishing a clear long-term framework for protecting health, infrastructure, food security, and public services, with accountability for implementation.

Infrastructure built today must be resilient enough to withstand up to 4°C of warming by the end of the century, including measures like climate-resilient trees for carbon storage and cooling.

As climate change accelerates, the UK faces the urgent need to prepare for at least 2°C of global warming by 2050, with warnings that current adaptation efforts are insufficient to handle worsening weather extremes like heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and flooding.

The CCC emphasizes that adaptation efforts should focus on minimizing health impacts, maintaining food security, supporting nature, and ensuring vital services and infrastructure operate normally during extreme weather events.

Six critical areas for adaptation include public health, food security, infrastructure resilience, protection from extreme weather, public services, and climate-resilient economic growth.

Efforts must also aim to support essential services like insurance and reduce health and wellbeing impacts during climate crises.

There is concern over political moves to roll back climate policies, such as the pledge to scrap the Climate Change Act, which undermines efforts for emission reductions and climate adaptation.

Critics warn that such policy reversals threaten to weaken leadership and consensus needed to combat climate change effectively.

The UK faces challenges with indoor climate conditions, as many classrooms already exceed recommended temperatures during heatwaves, risking student safety and performance.

Indoor environments, including humidity, ventilation, and radiant heat, are crucial for human health, especially since high humidity combined with high temperatures can be deadly, and most people spend significant time indoors.

Current UK preparations are inadequate, risking serious health and economic impacts, with record heatwaves causing indoor temperatures in schools to reach up to 36.3°C, affecting students and healthcare facilities.

The CCC recommends using 2050 as a target for major climate adaptation projects, such as water reservoir construction, to address water shortages and extreme weather.

A comprehensive overhaul of the UK’s food system is needed, including reducing meat consumption and livestock numbers, to improve food security and environmental sustainability.

Over a billion people worldwide lack access to cooling, and with urban populations expected to reach 68% by 2050, exposure to dangerous heat and humidity levels will increase.

Climate models often underestimate the severity of urban heat, as cities create microclimates that can cause temperatures to rise far above global averages, especially in densely populated areas.