A New report A report published by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) urges governments to take action to protect people from overheating in their homes, as the world is on track to reach temperatures of around 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2050.
The committee has highlighted eight key areas that need to be addressed – from investment in cooling solutions to management to keeping people safe. Risk of flooding Through careful development planning.
Baroness Brown, Chair of the Adaptation Committee, said, “Our lives, our landscapes and our homes are under increasing pressure from a changing climate. But we are not powerless. In an increasingly unstable world, adapting well to climate change is fundamental to securing our food, energy and economic security.”
What’s in the report?
Keeping people cool
According to the report, about 1,400-3,000 heat-related deaths occur in heatwave periods each year. To stop this number from rising to a projected level of 3,000-10,000 by 2050 (and hopefully even lower), the committee says the government should protect people from the heat.
To achieve this goal, the report recommends that new builds “should be designed to keep people cool from the start”, while natural shading and other low-cost passive cooling measures may also be sufficient.
With heatwaves expected to get hotter and longer, the committee suggests planning for more active cooling methods such as Air conditioningwith low-cost passive measures. When retrofitting existing homes, both of these approaches may be needed to maintain temperature levels.
While the report recommends installing cooling systems in homes, it addresses that additional support may be needed to make them more accessible to those who are heat-sensitive and low-income.
By switching to a reliable and low-carbon electricity system and using technologies such as Heat pump That can both heat and cool homes, the committee says, is a goal that can be managed “at low cost and with minimal disruption.”
Pro Breeze Portable Air Conditioner
With app control and four speed settings, this award-winning portable air conditioner keeps you cool at the click of a button.
MeacoFan Sefte 10″ Pro Table Air Circulator
Portable, powerful and whisper-quiet, this air circulator costs just 1p per hour to run and features a cordless design.
Flood risk management
The report also highlighted the importance of protecting properties from flooding through well-maintained defenses and drainage, while noting that development in flood-prone areas needs to be managed “carefully” and that new construction “should be avoided where risks are not sufficiently reduced”.
To prevent water damage to homes, he suggested low-cost measures such as one-way valves on sewage pipes, flood gates, barriers and covering air bricks.
The report says: “Rapid rollout of property-level measures over the next five years in places already at risk of flooding could cut average annual flood-related losses by half. In other places, challenging conversations will need to be had with communities where flood protection is not possible, especially with rising sea levels.”
Avoid water scarcity
With water scarcity on the rise, the report recommends that all new homes should be water-capable from the outset.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said, “We are working to protect people and places from the effects of climate change which are already being felt in the UK – from floods to extreme heat and drought.
“We have already invested a record £2.65 billion to protect thousands of homes and businesses, repair and build flood defences, and deploy the largest nature-friendly farming budget in history to support sustainable food production and security.
“Robust, independent science is essential and we will carefully consider the latest recommendations from the Climate Change Committee to take further action.”
If you’re struggling with the heat, you can check out our guides How to keep the house cool And Prevent overheating in the home Useful
