Who Are The Climate Change Committee?
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) is an independent statutory body created under the Climate Change Act 2008. Its role is to provide advice to the UK and devolved governments on setting emissions targets and to report to Parliament on the progress being made in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change.
As a business dedicated to sustainable and environmentally friendly heating, we maintain a strong interest in staying informed about the Climate Change Committee’s findings. In a report published in April of this year, the Committee examines the nation’s progress in adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Here are the key points you should know:
Immediate Adaptation Is Needed..
The growing impacts of climate change are evident both globally and in the UK. Immediate adaptation is essential to make sure the UK is able to handle current extreme weather and the escalating risks anticipated in the future. These impacts are already incurring significant costs, and the associated risks will continue to increase, even if global climate targets are achieved. Quick action is now needed while there remains a window to respond effectively and cost-efficiently. Continued support from the government is needed more than ever to help the country prepare. The Climate Change Committee recommend four areas of action to further increase awareness of the adaption needed, across the government:
1. Focus on targets and objectives – The Government must communicate the respective roles of government, the private sector and households in delivering and funding adaptation.
2. Develop cross-government coordination – Further coordination across activities, spending decisions, sectors, and departments will be crucial.
3. Integrate adaptation into all relevant policies – It’s essential that climate adaptation planning is supported with sufficient resources across the government. Public services such as the NHS need to be resilient to the effects of extreme weather and the problems it will bring, both now and in the future.
4. Implement monitoring, evaluation and learning across all sectors – A culture of learning, monitoring and adaption is needed to review and track the impacts of climate change.
The Evidence is Here:
There is now clear evidence that climate change is increasing both the frequency and severity of extreme weather events in the UK, including heatwaves, intense rainfall, and wildfires. Between October 2022 and March 2024, England experienced its wettest 18-month period on record. Extensive flooding left large areas of farmland submerged for prolonged periods, contributing to the second poorest arable harvest since modern records began.
This followed the record-breaking summer of 2022, during which temperatures exceeded 40°C in many locations for the first time. The extreme heat resulted in nearly 3,000 heat-related deaths in England, an all-time high. At the same time, hot and dry conditions led to an unprecedented number of wildfires. In July 2022, numerous fire and rescue services declared major incidents as emergency calls surged by 500%.
In 2024, global temperatures (albeit temporarily) passed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, drawing closer to the lower limit of the Paris Agreement’s long-term temperature objective. At the current rate of human-induced climate change, the UK will continue to experience rapid and significant shifts in weather and climate patterns.
The country is expected to face warmer, wetter winters, heightening flood risks for homes, agriculture, and critical infrastructure. Summers will become increasingly hot and dry, intensifying heatwaves and droughts, while also raising the likelihood of surface water flooding during heavy rainfall events. Sea levels around the UK are projected to rise for centuries, further compounding these risks.
These climate conditions will expose society to increasing threats that could reach unmanageable levels.
These risks include:
Increasing threats to nature and challenges to food production from extreme weather. Today, over 50% of the UK’s top-quality agricultural land is at risk of flooding, with a further increase expected by 2050.
Extreme weather will more frequently disrupt the functioning of key infrastructure. Over 33% of road and rail networks are currently at risk of flooding. This could increase to 50% by 2050.
An increasing number of properties will be at risk of flooding or overheating. Currently, around 6.3 million properties in England are at risk of flooding. This could increase to 8 million by 2050.
Future heat will risk the health and lives of vulnerable people. Heat already kills up to 3,000 people each year, but could rise to over 10,000 in an average year by 2050.
Climate change will create challenges to economic prosperity. It’s estimated that if left unchecked, climate change could impact UK GDP by up to 7% by 2050.
What can you do to reduce emissions?
As a consumer, you have a range of options to lower your carbon footprint and reduce your emissions. Here are five things to consider:
1. Rethink Your Travel – Walk, cycle, take the bus or train, car-share, or switch to an EV; cutting routine petrol- or diesel-car miles is one of the fastest ways to lower emissions.
2. Improve Home Efficiency – Draught-proof doors and floors, top up loft and cavity-wall insulation, and drop your thermostat just 1 °C (try lower if you can), every degree could save up to 10 % on heating energy.
3. Switch to Renewable Power – Move to a 100 % renewable electricity tariff and, if possible, install rooftop solar panels or a heat pump to displace gas or oil heating. Also, consider a wood-burning stove for secondary heating in your home.
4. Upgrade to Energy Efficient Appliances – Pick A-rated (or A +++) machines, run dishwashers and washers only when full at 30 °C, and switch to LED bulbs throughout your home.
5. Buy Less – Make It Last – Repair electronics, extend clothing life, and favour second-hand over new; keeping clothes in use one-third longer could save 10 million t CO₂ eq annually in the UK.
