Adaption to Get a New Impetus?

The recent heatwave has pushed climate change adaptation back up the agenda. Particular sectors, like the water industry, have come under pressure as dry weather has led to a hosepipe ban being imposed in some areas. [1] The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has also called for the Government ‘to redouble its efforts to address the risk from climate change.’ [2] This could open the door for investors in climate change adaptation technologies.

The current heatwave affecting the UK is unlikely to be last of its kind

The current summer is the UK’s hottest since 1976, though there are good reasons to believe these temperatures will become the norm, not the exception. The CCC states that the last four decades have seen substantial human-induced global warming, which has contributed significantly to the increasing probability and severity of heatwaves. It has highlighted that this warming could have significant impacts on various aspects of UK life, including the need for properties to have better shading and ventilation. [3]

The Government’s efforts to mitigate climate change impacts may step up as a consequence

The Government is committed to climate change adaption initiatives, however the heatwave may increase the pressure to do more. The Government published the second iteration of the UK’s National Adaptation Programme (NAP) on 19 July 2018. This outlined several areas in which the Government wants to take action in the future, including action to prevent flooding and overheating of key parts of the UK’s infrastructure. [4] As the UK works to take these plans forward, for example the ambition to create a set of Green Infrastructure standards by 2023, the extreme weather may act as an impetus to seek ideas from the private sector.

Proactive engagement can help businesses shape the future

By taking the chance to show it has serious ideas about how to adapt to climate change industry can help develop policy. In doing so it can ensure the policy framework provides opportunities to companies with innovative solutions.

Brevia Consulting provides straightforward political advice and support to businesses and organisations.

Discover how Brevia can help you and your organisation by contacting the Brevia Energy Team on 020 7091 1650 or contact@brevia.co.uk


[1] BBC News, 29 July 2018, link

[2] CCC Press Release, 24 July 2018, link

[3] CCC Press Release, 24 July 2018, link

[4] Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, The National Adaptation Programme and the third strategy for climate adaptation reporting, 19 July 2018, p.121, link

LATEST NEWS

Energy

UK-EU Reset: What the New Agreement Means for Energy

Beyond borders and e-gates, a quiet energy reset is taking place, with the potential to reshape UK-EU carbon markets, cut costs, and power the net zero transition. In this article, Brevia explores the key energy provisions of the new UK-EU agreement and what they mean for businesses navigating the transition.

Read More »
Politics

What to expect from Reform UK in local government

With the dramatic success of Reform UK in the local elections on 1 May, attention must now turn to considering how they will run the local authorities they now control. Reform is a fairly new political party, and has never controlled a local authority executive before. On a national level, most who follow politics will now be familiar with their headline policies: support for lower immigration, opposition to diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives and scepticism towards climate change and net zero. However, Reform’s policies and procedures on a local level are much less clear. With Reform winning outright control of ten local authorities on 1 May, trying to predict how Reform will run the local authorities they control will be important to anyone who intends to engage with local authorities in the coming months and years.

Read More »
Politics

UK Government Unveils Immigration White Paper to Curb Net Migration

On May 12, 2025, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer introduced a comprehensive Immigration White Paper aimed at significantly reducing net migration and strengthening the UK’s borders. The reforms are designed to prioritise high-skilled migrants, reduce dependence on overseas labour, and enhance border security measures.​

Read More »