A major review by the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) has revealed that critical public buildings such as schools, hospitals, care homes, and offices are dangerously unprepared to cope with rising temperatures caused by global heating. The report, released on Wednesday, underscores how the country is falling behind in its efforts to adapt to the worsening effects of climate change, putting millions of vulnerable individuals at risk.
According to the CCC, the nation’s infrastructure remains woefully outdated in the face of intensifying heatwaves. Buildings constructed decades ago, with a focus on retaining heat during cold seasons, are now becoming hazardous in the summer months. Schools, offices, care homes, and health facilities — which accommodate children, the elderly, and those with medical vulnerabilities — are particularly at risk, as they often lack proper ventilation or cooling systems.
The committee’s assessment comes amid growing concern over extreme weather events across the UK. Recent years have seen record-breaking summer temperatures, including the unprecedented 40.3°C recorded in 2022. Experts warn that such extremes are no longer anomalies but early signs of a new normal, with projections showing an increasing number of dangerously hot days in the years to come.
The CCC criticised the government’s sluggish response to repeated warnings. Despite the growing threat, there has been limited implementation of cooling measures or updated building regulations that could ensure thermal comfort and safety during heatwaves. Baroness Brown, chair of the CCC’s Adaptation Committee, stressed that the UK remains “dangerously unprepared,” and urgent steps must be taken to address overheating in homes and public buildings.
The report points out that many workers and schoolchildren are already being affected by rising indoor temperatures. Productivity is declining in overheated offices, while learning outcomes are threatened in poorly ventilated classrooms. Care home residents, who are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, are often left in sweltering conditions without adequate relief.
In addition, the committee found that the UK lacks a comprehensive strategy to retrofit existing buildings with passive cooling features, such as reflective surfaces, shading, or green infrastructure. Financial incentives and policy frameworks to encourage such upgrades remain insufficient.
The CCC’s findings add pressure on the UK government ahead of its next National Adaptation Programme, due in 2028, which is supposed to outline how the country will address risks related to climate change. The committee has urged immediate action to avoid escalating health, economic, and social impacts.
In summary, while the UK continues to make progress in climate mitigation, its failure to prepare public infrastructure for rising temperatures may lead to grave consequences. The CCC’s report serves as a stark reminder that climate resilience must be prioritised alongside carbon reduction goals.
