Climate change linked to increased risk of flooding in UK
Written by Defra Press Office
Flooding in Hereford due to Storm Callum, October 2018
The journal ‘Nature’ has recently published the details of a Europe-wide study regarding the impacts of climate change on flooding. The study found that climate change is causing more frequent and intense flooding in northern parts of the continent, whereas flood risk has reduced in more southern parts of Europe. The story was covered by the I newspaper, Independent, The Ecologist and the Yorkshire Post.
The study is one of the largest of its kind, looking at river level and flooding data from thousands of locations across Europe over a 50 year period. The findings add to the growing body of evidence that shows that the extent and frequency of flooding has increased in the UK over the last five decades due to climate change, particularly in parts of northern and western Britain.
The authors of the study claim that the total annual bill from flood damage – which they estimate to already stand at $100 billion worldwide – is likely to increase and that in order to tackle this increasing risk we must adapt to the realities of our changing climate over the coming decades.
In May this year, Environment Agency Chair, Emma Howard Boyd, launched a long-term Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy for England. The Strategy, which has recently been out for public consultation, sets out a long term plan for tackling, preparing for and adapting to the additional risks that climate change will bring.
The Strategy’s recommendations include ensuring that all infrastructure is resilient to flooding and coastal change by 2050, committing £1 billion to flood and coastal defences and natural flood management per year, and building climate resilience into every new home and property development.
Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said:
"Climate change means the threat of flooding and rate of coastal change will increase significantly. To prepare for this risk, as a nation we need to move from a strategy of protection and building higher flood defences to improving the resilience of our communities and our infrastructure, strengthening our ability to cope with flooding and coastal change when it does happen.
“Our new flood strategy sets out a long-term approach to tackling the effects of the climate emergency, as well as the actions we can take in the short term. This includes a record £2.6 billion investment we are making now to protect 300,000 homes from flooding and coastal erosion.”
Follow Defra on Twitter, and sign up for email alerts here.
Continue reading on Defra Website...
