As we reflect on the recent flash flooding across London, which brought devastation (including to my building’s basement) and hundreds of other places, one question looms large: is the pace of adapting London to climate risks fast enough, and is the Mayor’s response to the London Climate Resilience Review heading in the right direction?
Earlier this year, the Chair of London’s Climate Resilience Review made a bold statement: “London is currently underprepared for climate shocks.” This was reinforced in the summer when she warned that “the UK’s current approach to adaptation is not working,” and that getting London ready for climate impacts is “non-negotiable.”
While the dramatic image of London underwater, as seen in the movie The End We Start From, might seem like an exaggeration, Emma Howard Boyd CBE has warned that this scenario could be more real than we think.
Just six months after the Climate Change Committee predicted 40°C temperatures in England by 2040, it happened. February 2024 was recorded as both the warmest and one of the wettest on record, reminding us how quickly climate risks are escalating.
As Europe experiences faster temperature rises than anywhere else, and London faces flooding, heatwaves, and other climate threats, it’s clear that adaptation and resilience must now be top priorities for the Mayor and City Hall.
What needs to be done?
Despite concern over climate change consistently ranking among Londoners’ top worries, concern alone isn’t enough to create real change.
Flash floods, extreme heat, droughts, wildfires, and subsidence are already happening in the city.
The London Climate Resilience Review laid it out plainly: Climate change is here, it’s getting worse, and London is underprepared. The most vulnerable in our society will suffer the most, and we have no choice but to adapt swiftly.
So, what’s stopping us? According to the Review, the solution lies in immediate and coordinated action:
- Increased funding: Local councils need more financial resources to implement adaptation measures. Too often, community-driven initiatives face funding shortages, which slows down progress.
- Better coordination: Councils, businesses, charities, and community groups need to collaborate more efficiently to ensure we’re making rapid progress.
- Retrofitting buildings: A large portion of London’s CO2 emissions comes from buildings. Retrofitting them to be more energy-efficient and resilient to climate risks must become a priority.
- Green and blue infrastructure: Expanding parks, trees, green roofs, and wetlands will help cool the city and manage floods. Investing in these solutions is crucial.
- A Regional approach: Climate risks don’t stop at London’s borders. A broader plan for the region is necessary to address shared vulnerabilities.
Understanding cascading risks and protecting the vulnerable
We also need to understand “cascading risks”—when one climate hazard worsens another. For instance, a water shortage could lead to food and energy shortages. Proactive planning, including emergency drills like ‘Operation Helios,’ and setting clear risk indicators are vital to making London more resilient.
The poorest communities, already facing socio-economic challenges, will be hardest hit by climate hazards. Targeted support for these areas—like improving home insulation and planting trees to mitigate extreme heat—is urgent.
What’s next: The mayor’s response
Sadiq Khan, re-elected on a progressive climate agenda, signed his response shortly after the review’s release but only published it recently. His response is a step in the right direction, but some had hoped for faster action given the urgency of the climate risks London faces.
The Mayor’s plan includes several positive measures, such as a long-term commitment to climate resilience and embedding adaptation into everyday city operations. His focus on collaborating with councils, businesses, and communities, along with public engagement through the London Resilience Unit, is commendable.
However, the response lacks clear timelines for key actions, raising concerns about potential delays.
The upcoming delivery plan will be crucial to ensuring accountability and real progress. Moreover, London has an opportunity to lead on climate adaptation at the national level, but this will require bolder, more ambitious action.
How Londoners can help
Building a climate-resilient city requires everyone’s involvement. As individual Londoners, we can start by understanding the climate risks we face—whether it’s heatwaves, flooding, or subsidence—and take action to prepare. This could mean retrofitting homes, supporting green infrastructure projects, and pushing for changes in planning rules, like allowing external insulation, to remove outdated barriers.
It’s also essential to stay informed by checking in with your borough and the Greater London Authority (GLA) on climate adaptation efforts and push for greater ambition when needed.
Knowing how to stay safe during heatwaves or floods is crucial, as is adopting behaviours that will help mitigate future climate risks.
The Green Londoner’s role
It’s vital that we make the findings and recommendations from the Review accessible to everyone, not just experts. By breaking down complex ideas and making the topic even more engaging, The Green Londoner hopes to inspire Londoners to take meaningful action.
Looking ahead
London has enormous potential to prepare for the climate hazards that lie ahead, but the window for action and real progress is narrowing. London needs to change gear. With the right investments, a strategic plan, and by bringing Londoners on board, the city can—and must—protect its people, its economy, and its environment from the growing threats of climate change.
(Not So) Fun Facts (from the Review):
- By the 2050s, climate change could reduce London’s GDP by 2-3%, equating to around £16 billion annually (based on 2022 GDP).
- Without action, England will face a daily shortfall of 5 billion litres of water by 2050, potentially costing London £500 million a day in economic losses.
- Zurich UK reports that heavy rainfall and flooding threaten 42% of London’s 301,000 commercial buildings.
Resources:
- London Climate Resilience Review (final report)
- The Mayor’s Response: London’s Climate Resilience Review Response
- The London Resilience Partnership (preparing for emergencies)
- London Climate Ready Partnership: London Climate Resilience Review Launch
- The End We Start From (Movie)
