Impacts of climate change on London - Climate change - UKinfocus

London's Warming report

Read the London's Warming summary report. [PDF]

	Climate and the city: likely impacts of climate change for London

London will encounter many of the same impacts from climate change as other cities and settlements including air and water pollution, flooding, and increased spread of disease. A recent study called London’s Warming reports on a pioneering study on the likely impacts of climate change on a major city.

Heat
London may be particularly sensitive to increases in temperature in the future due to what is known as the urban heat island effect . This will contribute to detrimental effects on air quality and increase the amount of electricity used for cooling in the summer months.

Flooding…
London is potentially exposed to a far greater risk from flooding than any other urban area in the UK. This is due to the value of its assets and the fact that it lies within the flood plain of the River Thames. Increased risk of flooding due to change in the climate could lead to damage to buildings and disruption of London’s transport network. In the longer term this may require substantial investments to improve ways of managing flooding such as the Thames Barrier.

...but water shortages
Perhaps surprisingly, water shortage was highlighted as a serious issue. London is one of the driest capital cities in the world, with available water resources per head of population similar to that of Israel. Londoners use approximately 155 litres of water per day , compared to the average for England of 149 litres. Climate change could reduce the amount of water available and increase the demand in summer with higher temperatures threatening replenishment of water stocks as well as increasing thirst.

Bad air
Air pollution is already unacceptably high in many parts of London. Air quality worsens under certain conditions, such as still, sunny days in summer. Projected increases in dry, sunny weather in summer due to climate change will therefore favour the production of more air pollutants. Any decline in air quality could pose serious health risks for asthmatics as well as causing damage to London’s plants and buildings.

Pavement cafe © Snapshots, British Council

Positive effects
The London’s Warming study also highlighted some possible positive outcomes resulting from climate change and possible higher temperatures. Tourism might benefit, for example. There could also be a cultural shift in lifestyles towards more outdoors living. London could see an increase in café culture, outdoor music and theatre entertainment, sporting events and al fresco eating. This could also change the look of London as planners design urban areas so that they can be used for such new demands and increased use of green spaces.

Now read about where London goes next in the battle to tackle climate change.