Why scorching hot summers could change the UK as we know it

LocalEnvironment
20 May 2026 • 6:47 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Why scorching hot summers could change the UK as we know it

  • The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has urged the government to prepare for consistent 40C summer temperatures due to escalating climate change impacts.
  • The CCC warned that 92 per cent of UK homes are expected to overheat by 2050, alongside increased peak river flows and significant water supply shortfalls.
  • Recommendations include investing in cooling mechanisms like air conditioning, heat pumps, and green shading for public services, and establishing a maximum workplace temperature.
  • Without adaptation, the increasing risk of heatwaves could lead to up to 10,000 excess deaths annually by mid-century.
  • The committee's proposals, which also cover resilient infrastructure and flood defences, are estimated to cost around £11 billion per year, split between public and private funding.

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