UK climate advisers warn homes and hospitals may need air conditioning as 40C heat becomes more likely
The UK may need widespread cooling systems in hospitals, care homes, and schools as climate advisers warn temperatures above 40C are expected to become increasingly common by 2050. A major report from the Climate Change Committee says Britain was “built for a climate that no longer exists,” warning that overheating will become a growing risk to public health across the country.
The committee says air conditioning should be installed in all hospitals and care homes within the next 10 years, while schools may also require cooling systems within 25 years as heatwaves become longer and more severe. Climate advisers believe the UK should now prepare for 2C of global heating by 2050, with efforts to limit warming to 1.5C under the Paris Agreement appearing increasingly unlikely to succeed.
The report warns that heatwaves above 40C could affect every part of the UK within the next few decades. Around nine in ten homes are expected to face overheating risks during hotter summers. During the 2022 heatwave, when UK temperatures exceeded 40C for the first time, about 3,000 excess deaths were recorded.
The report says measures, including shading, ventilation, and tree planting will remain important, but warns that these alone may not be enough to protect vulnerable people during future periods of extreme heat. Rather than cooling entire homes, the committee said some households may choose to keep one room cool during heatwaves.
Concerns over the energy demands created by increased air conditioning use was also highlighted by the report. Cooling systems already account for around 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, although newer heat pump technology can improve efficiency.
The committee estimates climate-related damage is already costing the UK around £60 billion each year through flooding, crop losses, and wider economic disruption.
The findings come as concerns continue to grow over overheating risks inside homes across London and other urban areas during prolonged summer heatwaves.
The full report has been published by the UK Climate Change Committee.
The findings come as concerns continue to grow over overheating risks inside homes across London and other urban areas during prolonged summer heatwaves, particularly in newer developments struggling to stay cool during extreme temperatures. The warning also arrives amid wider concerns about the resilience of Britain’s ageing energy infrastructure as households face growing pressure from changing climate conditions and rising electricity demand.
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