UK unprepared for climate change impacts - fire chiefs council

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has issued a serious warning that the UK is not adequately prepared to handle the impacts of climate change. They are calling on the government to take immediate action to protect the nation from the increasing threats posed by extreme weather events. Fire and rescue teams are playing a vital role in responding to these events, which include wildfires and flooding that are becoming more frequent. These extreme weather situations often last for extended periods, putting a significant strain on the regular services that firefighters provide. The fire chiefs have also highlighted that they face challenges due to limited resources and a lack of access to long-term weather forecasting data, which makes it difficult for them to prepare for such extreme weather conditions. According to the Met Office, climate change is expected to lead to summers in the UK being up to 60% drier and winters becoming warmer and wetter. NFCC chairman Mark Hardingham expressed his deep concern about the immediate and real threat that climate change poses to our planet and the implications it has for our communities. He stated, 'It is impossible not to be concerned about the very real and immediate threat climate change poses to our planet and what that will mean for our communities. ' Data from the Copernicus climate service indicates that global average temperatures for 2024 were similar to those before humans began burning large amounts of fossil fuels. Over the past year, various parts of the UK have experienced severe weather, leading to rare red weather warnings from the Met Office and causing widespread disruption in the areas most affected. Storm Darragh also brought similar red warnings in December. The summer in the UK was influenced by a south-shifted jet stream that brought cold air from the north, although many regions still experienced temperatures soaring up to 34C. Mr. Hardingham remarked, 'Watching the devastation caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles and the number of recent flooding incidents we have seen in the UK, it is impossible not to be concerned about the very real and immediate threat climate change poses to our planet and what that will mean for our communities in the future. ' He emphasized that fire crews are 'on the frontline' in responding to extreme weather and often go 'above and beyond to protect their communities. ' The UK recorded a heatwave that leading scientists have stated would not have occurred without human-induced climate change. This heatwave resulted in several areas, including South Yorkshire, Norfolk, Surrey, Kent, and London, experiencing severe dryness. Some emergency services even declared major incidents due to the extreme conditions. Rail services were canceled in certain regions as the tracks overheated or buckled under the heat. Mr. Hardingham noted that the NFCC is witnessing an increase in risks associated with extreme weather and warned that without adequate investment and government action, their ability to keep communities safe and protect vital infrastructure is at risk. The NFCC is urging the government to review the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, which outlines how the government prepares for emergencies. They also want to ensure that there are data analysis mechanisms in place to assess the risks and impacts of incidents related to climate change. The UK has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, meaning it will remove as much of these gases from the atmosphere as it emits. The country has made several pledges to achieve this target, including increasing wind and solar energy production by 2030 and investing in technology to capture and store carbon dioxide. In November 2024, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that the country would aim for these ambitious goals.