Responding to the release of the Met Office's State of the UK Climate 2024 Report, Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said:
“Climate change is already here, with its impacts increasingly being felt at home and abroad. As well as rapidly cutting climate-changing pollution – and meeting the UK’s commitment to cut emissions by over two-thirds by 2030 – we must do more to adapt to the extreme weather events that increasingly batter Britain.
“The current National Adaptation Programme plan falls far short of what’s needed, which is why Friends of the Earth is currently challenging it in the High Court.
"We desperately need increased investment in homes and care homes to keep them cool in summer and warm in winter, community centres to be equipped with air conditioned ‘cool spaces’ in heatwaves and more trees planted and restored peatland to hold back floods. Particular focus must also be given to disproportionately affected marginalised groups, such as older and disabled people, and those living in areas most at risk from climate change.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. High Court hears legal challenge to government’s climate adaptation plan: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/high-court-hears-legal-challenge-governments-climate-adaptation-plan