UK falling behind on climate resilience, warns watchdog 

UK government is falling dangerously short in preparing the country for the escalating threats of climate change, according to a new report from government watchdog the Climate Change Committee (CCC). 

Despite rising global temperatures and the growing frequency of extreme weather events, progress on climate adaptation has been slow, inconsistent, and in some areas, regressing. According to the CCC, efforts to build resilience against climate impacts such as flooding are either “too slow, have stalled, or are heading in the wrong direction.” 

In response, the government pointed to its ongoing £2.65 billion investment in flood defences. Floods Minister Emma Hardy reaffirmed a commitment to tackling the challenge, stating, “We are putting £2.65bn into upgrading, maintaining and building new flood defences... But we absolutely know, of course, there’s more that needs to be done.” 

The CCC report makes it clear: time is running out to make the UK climate-resilient. “We are seeing climate impacts happening faster and more intensely,” said Baroness Brown, Chair of the Adaptation Committee. “Government just doesn’t yet seem to be taking it seriously.” 

Nowhere is this more evident than in flood preparedness. Plans for managing river and coastal flooding have worsened since the CCC’s last assessment. An example that highlights the human cost of underinvestment is the village of Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire as most recently as November 2024. Local business owners in Tenbury Wells face soaring insurance premiums—or are unable to secure coverage at all. Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has stated it cannot afford the estimated £25–30 million needed to implement adequate flood protection. 

Previsico’s co-founder and CPO Dr Avi Baruch has shared that "For a long time, most people haven’t had to think about flooding until it hits them - but that’s changing. As climate change drives more frequent and extreme weather, the impacts are being felt across the board, from individuals to businesses. We all pay for it through insurance premiums and public spending. But the rising cost of flooding isn’t inevitable. In fact, our analysis shows that most organisations can halve their flood losses through proactive risk management - and it starts with timely early warnings that give people the chance to prepare and act.” 

The CCC’s findings serve as a critical reminder: while investment in defences is vital, predictive tools and early action are equally essential in a world where extreme weather is the new normal.