Global Markets
Home›Global Markets›Europe›UK has just 20 climate adaptation staff in Defra, data…
UK has just 20 climate adaptation staff in Defra, data shows
A UK climate adaptation committee warned peak river flows could rise by up to 45%, while daily water supply shortfalls may exceed 5 billion litres, with potential annual GDP costs of 1% to 5% by 2050.
UK government data reviewed by the UK climate change adaptation committee shows England has a very small climate adaptation workforce within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with just 20 staff working on climate adaptation out of 6,613.
The committee warned the UK is lagging behind in adapting to global heating, saying the climate crisis is raising the likelihood of both more intense summer heatwaves and winter rainfall, with drought and flooding both becoming more probable.
It projected that peak river flows could increase by up to 45%, while water supply shortfalls could surpass 5 billion litres per day, according to the committee.
The Guardian reports the committee estimated the economic cost of failing to adapt could total between 1% and 5% of UK GDP annually by 2050, equivalent to 60 billion to 260 billion pounds per year, and noted critics calling for higher staffing and funding for adaptation efforts.