A new UKGBC statement says that the government needs to do more to mitigate the effects of climate change and flooding risks
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) statement has said that the government needs to do more in the face of climate change.
The statement comes as a response to the announcement of DEFRA’s Flood Resilience Taskforce.
DEFRA recognises the flooding risks
In a recent government statement on flooding, and the announcement of the Flood Resilience Taskforce, the science and technology secretary, Peter Kyle, said: “Flooding and droughts can devastate UK communities, from leaving people stranded, to destroying homes, gardens, roads and businesses, and even claiming lives.
“With climate change sadly making extreme weather events more common and adding an eye-watering cost to the economy, there is no time to waste in backing our researchers and innovators to ensure we are better prepared for floods and droughts striking.”
Flooding presents an issue that is serious and often difficult to tackle, with new technologies being developed to predict and prevent. Around 325,000 UK homes are at a high risk of flooding with heavy rainfall, according to a NIC report, with the effects of climate change increasing the number to 555,000 by 2055.
The UKGBC statement says more action is needed
Simon McWhirter, deputy chief executive officer at UKGBC, said: “It’s reassuring to see the government getting to grips with the heightened flood risk looming for so many communities and businesses; not just this autumn, but as an escalating issue in the coming years.
“People are rightly concerned about what the future holds, but the current National Adaptation Plan has left us woefully underprepared for the storms ahead.
“This government has inherited very little by way of plans for protecting existing buildings, or ensuring new developments and planning policy keep us safe. This Taskforce will need to help the Government arrive at a much more strategic and comprehensive plan to address flood hazards, while making sure that the most vulnerable and least able to pay for individual flood defences are protected.
“UKGBC is already convening experts from across the sector to develop a UK Climate Resilience Roadmap for the built environment and with specific recommendations for government action on flooding, overheating, wildfires and other risks. Industry and government will need to act decisively together to prepare for the major climate impacts that are sadly now inevitable.”
