According to a report from the National Audit Office, the UK government is not sufficiently equipped to handle climate-related disasters such as extreme droughts and floods.
Activists fighting for climate action have likened the UK government to a boiling frog, stating that they are unaware of the severity of extreme weather conditions.
The country’s level of preparedness was evaluated by an independent public spending watchdog, taking into account four types of extreme weather events: droughts, surface water flooding, storms, and high temperatures (including heatwaves).
Severe weather events such as storms, floods, and heatwaves can result in fatalities. Droughts can also have catastrophic impacts on agriculture and there is a worry that some regions may face water shortages in the future.
The report considered the increasing likelihood of these events and noted that their impact will be greater due to climate changes caused by the burning of fossil fuels. By 2050, there is a projected 50% probability that summer temperatures will match those of 2018, which was recorded as the hottest year.
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The Cabinet Office, responsible for organizing the government’s reaction to situations, lacks specific goals and a successful plan for doing so.
Efforts have been made to enhance the UK’s ability to withstand severe weather conditions.
According to the report, making informed decisions on government investments to prevent or reduce severe weather events is challenging. The investigators also discovered that there was minimal evidence of risk assessments being conducted in funding decisions.
According to the report, the government does not keep a record or assess its expenditures towards preparing for extreme weather. This lack of tracking makes it difficult to determine the effectiveness of any actions taken by government officials. The report states that critical infrastructure, including transportation, energy, and data centers, is not equipped to handle extreme weather events, especially heatwaves and high temperatures.
The National Audit Office has advised the government to establish goals and objectives to protect the UK from severe weather events, which are increasing in severity and frequency due to climate change. They have also proposed that the Cabinet Office assess the advantages of appointing a chief risk advisor to oversee the coordination and financing of responses to climate-related disasters.
Gareth Davies, the comptroller and auditor general of the NAO, said: “The UK’s experience during the pandemic demonstrated the vital importance of building resilience, and that lesson also applies to extreme weather events.
The government should prioritize prevention and preparedness, clearly stating the level of risk it is willing to accept, and making informed choices about where to invest for long-term efficiency and effectiveness.
According to the report, the government implements effective strategies when faced with extreme weather situations. This includes utilizing forecasts from the Met Office and issuing weather advisories.
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Greenpeace UK’s climate campaigner, Georgia Whitaker, stated that the UK government is like a frog in boiling water, unaware of the increasing temperatures and resulting extreme weather. She also pointed out that this year has been the hottest recorded and the country has experienced severe storms and floods. The current climate crisis is a reality and the government’s lack of preparedness is evident in this report.
“Adding to the problem, Rishi Sunak’s actions of rolling back climate policies and issuing new licenses for oil and gas exploration go against international efforts to combat climate change. This will only worsen the climate crisis and subject communities to more frequent and intense extreme weather events in the future. It is crucial for Sunak and his government to take immediate action and address the climate crisis with urgency, or else voters may elect someone who will.”
Labour MP Meg Hillier, who leads the public accounts committee, expressed concern over the impact of extreme weather events on people, communities, and businesses. She noted that these events are occurring more frequently and with greater severity. The government’s national risk register lists eight out of 89 risks as extreme weather events. According to a recent report by the NAO, the government lacks a clear vision for building a resilient and well-prepared UK.
Without this information, it is unable to make well-informed choices regarding immediate and long-term priorities, investments, and funding distribution, or assess the effectiveness of public spending. The government must take greater measures to anticipate extreme weather events and place a strong focus on prevention and preparedness. Long-term investments should be made to safeguard individuals and businesses.
The Cabinet Office representative stated that the UK is making great strides in developing adaptable and nimble capabilities, systems, and strategies to prepare for potential risks. This includes continual enhancements to our systems, such as a significant increase in the amount of data being utilized by the National Situation Centre. Additionally, a new 24/7 emergency alert system will be launched in April, providing the public with timely warnings and information.
Source: theguardian.com
