UK 'not ready' for extreme weather like Storm Darragh

Emma Pinchbeck, the new head of the Climate Change Committee, has expressed serious concerns about the UK's readiness for extreme weather events like Storm Darragh. In an interview with the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, she stated that the UK is currently 'off track' in its preparations for severe weather, which includes flooding and intense heat. Storm Darragh was particularly devastating, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and leaving thousands without electricity. This storm marked the fourth significant weather event to impact the UK since mid-October. The UK government has made a commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the year 2050. However, scientists have warned that the frequency of extreme weather events is likely to increase as the climate continues to warm. Pinchbeck emphasized that immediate adaptations to homes and communities are necessary, regardless of the ongoing discussions about reducing emissions. In her first televised interview since taking on her role, she remarked, 'We are not on the right path, and we need to address issues such as flood defenses and the safety of our homes built on flood plains. ' She also raised concerns about whether cities are adequately prepared for extreme heat during the summer months. Pinchbeck highlighted the importance of planning for more extreme weather events like the recent storm, stating, 'We must prepare our infrastructure for it. We must prepare our economy for it. We must prepare our homes for it. ' The government's climate risk assessment, published in 2022, warned that the impacts of a changing environment could cost the UK billions of pounds annually. Emma Pinchbeck took over as head of the Climate Change Committee in October. She pointed out that we need to prepare for the consequences of a 4C increase in temperature, regardless of international agreements aimed at limiting warming to 1. 5C. Pinchbeck continued, 'There are risks to our food production, risks to where we can build safe homes, and risks to our towns and cities located along coastlines. These issues are very clear, and we should be taking action now to address them. ' When asked if the government is doing enough to prepare for an increase in extreme weather events, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner responded by saying that the government has already allocated more funds for flood defenses. She also mentioned that environmental factors will be taken into account by ministers over the next five years. BBC News has reached out to the government for a response to Pinchbeck's statements.