The UK government is not adequately prepared for the extreme weather conditions brought by Storm Darragh, according to the new head of the Climate Change Committee, Emma Pinchbeck. In an interview with BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Pinchbeck emphasized that the UK is “off track” and must take immediate action to prepare for scenarios like flooding and intense heat.
Storm Darragh, which hit the UK on Saturday with gusts of up to 96mph, resulted in two fatalities and left thousands without power. This is the fourth major storm to hit the UK since mid-October. Despite the UK government’s commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, scientists warn that the frequency of extreme weather events will only increase as the climate continues to warm.
Pinchbeck, who recently took on the role of chief executive at the Climate Change Committee, stressed the need for immediate adaptations to homes and communities, regardless of efforts to reduce emissions. “We’re off track against where we should be – and that’s things like flood defences, or are our houses built on flood plains?” she said. “In the summer, are our cities ready for extreme heat? These are basic things that we need to address.”
Pinchbeck also emphasized the importance of preparing for more extreme weather events like Storm Darragh, stating that infrastructure, economy, and homes must all be equipped to handle such conditions. She added, “There are risks to our food yields, there are risks to where we can build safe homes for people, and risks to our towns and cities which are built on coastlines. These things are very obvious and we should be acting now to tackle them.”
The government’s own climate risk assessment, set to be published in 2022, has warned that the impacts of a changing environment could cost the UK billions of pounds each year. It also states that preparations must be made for the effects of 4C of warming, regardless of international agreements to limit warming to 1.5C.
When asked about the government’s efforts to prepare for an increased rate of extreme weather events, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner told the BBC that more funding has been allocated for flood defences. She also assured that environmental factors will be taken into consideration as the government moves forward with plans to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years.
BBC News has reached out to the government for a response to Pinchbeck’s remarks. It is crucial for the government to take immediate action to prepare for the effects of climate change, as highlighted by Pinchbeck. With the potential risks and costs associated with extreme weather events, it is imperative that the UK takes proactive measures to mitigate their impact.