UK housing is dangerously unprepared for impact of climate crisis
18 days ago
- #heat resilience
- #UK housing
- #climate change
- Future British summers will be marked by extreme heat, droughts, floods, and health risks due to climate change.
- Temperatures in the UK have already reached 40°C (2022), with predictions of more frequent extreme heat events.
- Current UK housing and infrastructure are poorly prepared for climate impacts, lacking adequate ventilation and water efficiency.
- The UK Green Building Council advocates for better home designs, including ventilation, reflective surfaces, and water recycling.
- Urban planning should include more trees and green spaces (3:30:300 rule) to mitigate heat.
- The 'Future Homes Standard' (FHS), delayed for years, focuses on winter warmth but neglects summer cooling needs.
- Air conditioning is being considered but is energy-intensive and controversial for climate goals.
- Air-to-air heat pumps are a potential solution but less efficient than traditional heating systems.
- Existing UK homes face significant challenges in retrofitting for heat resilience, with no major plans in place.
- Government regulations (Part O) address overheating in new builds but not in existing or converted properties.