Last Updated on 24 July 2024
London Climate Resilience Review: Preparing for Extreme Weather
The recently published London Climate Resilience Review, commissioned by the Mayor of London and chaired by Emma Howard Boyd CBE, calls for immediate action to safeguard London against increasingly severe climate impacts. The Review emphasizes the necessity for the new government to seize this “reset moment” to bolster climate resilience across the UK, particularly in London.
Key findings highlight the alarming conditions experienced in recent years, such as the July 2022 heatwave, which saw temperatures reach 40°C, leading to a surge in water consumption and stretching the London Fire Brigade’s resources to their limits. The report warns of cascading impacts on essential services like healthcare, transport, and water supply during such extreme weather events.
To address these challenges, the Review recommends several measures, including the development of an official heat plan for London, construction of a new reservoir, and upgrading flood defenses. It also calls for a National Wildfire Strategy by 2025 and emphasizes the need for non-water-based fire suppression methods due to the risk of drought.
Further, the Review highlights the vulnerability of London’s ageing population and the crucial role of green spaces in mitigating heatwaves and reducing flood risks. It stresses that around 43% of London properties could be affected by subsidence by 2030, underlining the urgency for a comprehensive strategic approach.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has welcomed the recommendations and committed to working with various stakeholders to enhance London’s climate resilience. The additional funding for the Trees for London programme, aimed at planting more trees in high-risk areas, is a step towards creating a greener, more resilient city.
