A public mandate for climate change adaptation in the UK
Authored by Kate Sambrook, Rachel Harcourt, Suraje Dessai and Andrea Taylor in September 2024.
Summary
The UK is already being affected by climate change with more flooding and heatwaves impacting lives and livelihoods. These trends will continue in the near term and, without rapid decarbonisation, could significantly increase in the long term. Preparing for the unavoidable impacts of climate change, known as climate change adaptation, is critical.
This brief report draws on new analysis to show that there is now a strong public mandate for much more, and much faster, adaptation policy, investment and action. It calls on the UK government to immediately step up and accelerate preparations for the impacts of climate change, both now and in the future.
1. The UK public thinks climate change is a priority issue for the country
A 2013 survey showed that the UK public thought of climate change as mostly a concern for other countries or for future generations. However, this is no longer the case. In 2023,
79% thought climate change was a fairly, very or extremely serious threat to the UK with 60% thinking the same in relation to themselves and their family.
The survey results showed that after economic and health issues, climate change is ranked as one of the top issues facing the UK, with 20% including it in their top 3 priorities for ‘today’ and 32% including it in their top 3 priorities for ‘the future’. This is a significant change since the same question was asked in 2013 and the results were 5% and 9% respectively.
2. The UK public says they are already experiencing disruption due to climate change
From record breaking temperatures exceeding 40°C in 2022, to prolonged wet and stormy weather in 2024, extreme weather is already damaging people’s homes and impacting health and wellbeing. Although the UK has experienced heatwaves before, the likelihood of the country experiencing a comparably hot summer has increased significantly since then due to climate change.
Over 50% reported experiencing discomfort during a heatwave with 28% reporting heat-related health impacts. Nearly 1 in 10 said they had experienced flood damage to their home. 69% thought that the UK is already feeling the impacts of climate change.
3. The UK public wants to see strong leadership from central government
Effectively and equitably adapting to climate change is a complex challenge. The actions needed are determined by the hazard, location and socio-economic context. While much
adaptation will happen locally and in regions, leadership is required to provide a vision and framework.
91% of the survey respondents thought that the UK government have some responsibility in preparing the country for the impacts of a changing climate, with other groups, including local authorities, national agencies such as the Environment Agency and NHS, and business and industry, also perceived as having roles to play. When asked who is most responsible, 69% said the UK government.
4. The UK public thinks that climate change will further impact food, water, and human health in the near future
The UK will become warmer and wetter in the coming decades. By 2050, heatwaves like that seen in 2018 are expected to happen every other year. Winter storms will bring stronger winds and heavier rainfall, posing severe threats to buildings, transport, food, and health.
Over 75% agreed that it was fairly or very likely that the UK would experience increases in food prices due to poor harvests, water shortages, coastal erosion and loss of wildlife by 2050. More than two thirds of respondents also expected the UK to experience more serious health impacts, increased damage to homes, disruption to public services and supply chains, new pests and diseases, and wildfires.
5. The UK public wants adaptation actions to prioritise basic wellbeing for all
Climate change impacts such as heatwaves and flooding are a major threat to physical and mental health. Those people who are most exposed, e.g. living on the coasts or most socio-economically vulnerable, are at greatest risk and often have the least means to respond.
70% of respondents thought the UK should be addressing climate change with a high or extremely high level of urgency. Most respondents were more concerned about and prioritized types of adaptation actions related to affordable food, water availability and health and wellbeing.
A call to action
In light of this compelling new evidence policymakers are encouraged to draw upon the expertise of climate adaptation researchers, practitioners and advisors. In particular, we point to work by the UK Climate Change Committee, National Infrastructure Commission, Institute for Government, and UK Parliament. The Climate Evidence Unit will develop subsequent publications that explore recommendations for policy, investment, and action in response to this public mandate.
About the authors
Kate Sambrook is a Research Associate at the University of Manchester.
Rachel Harcourt is a Research Fellow at the University of Leeds.
Suraje Dessai is Professor of Climate Change Adaptation at the University of Leeds.
Andrea Taylor is an Associate Professor at the University of Leeds.
To cite this policy brief, please reference: Sambrook et al. (2024) New evidence of a strong public mandate for climate change adaptation in the UK, University of Leeds