Efforts to Adapt Homes to Climate Change Must be Stepped Up

A parliamentary committee has warned that efforts to adapt Britain’s homes & infrastructure to deal with the effects of climate change must be increased. The collection of MPs stated that efforts to adapt to the changing climate should be given as much of a priority as cutting carbon emissions. The Government are already taking steps to retrofit a number of homes in the UK in order to make them more energy & water efficient and resilient to flooding, but these efforts need to be stepped up according to the committee. 

 

The Environmental Audit Committee also stated that planning approval should not be given to any new housing developments unless they are designed to match potential future climate changes. This new focus is designed to adapt the UK’s building stock and infrastructure to rising temperatures as Britain is likely to experience wetter winters, drier summers and more extremes of weather such as heatwaves, storms and flooding. 

 

Chairman of the Environmental Audit committee, Tim Yeo said: "For a long time the climate change debate has focused on reducing carbon emissions, but adapting to the inevitable impacts of rising global temperatures is equally critical.

 

"Even if all the world's power stations were switched off tomorrow, past emissions mean that some climate change will still take place and we will face more floods, droughts and heat waves."

 

Retrofitting is something everyone should focus on and adapting homes to potential changes in climate will also increase energy efficiency. Double glazing allows for better ventilation throughout the home during the summer months, increased heat retention during the winter months and will stand up to the most extreme elements. Homes that team this up with other environmentally focused home improvements won’t just be ready for the potential changing climate but will save money as well.