NFCC warns of increasing climate risk to fire services

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has responded to new findings from the Climate Change Committee, highlighting the lack of progress in preparing the UK for climate change impacts.

NFCC Lead on Environment and Climate Change, Ben Brook, said fire and rescue services are already facing increased pressures from climate-related incidents such as floods and wildfires.

According to Brook, these events are escalating and placing greater demands on the emergency services.

He said: “Today’s report echoes our own warnings earlier this year that the UK is not fully prepared for the impacts of climate change.”

Brook continued: “Already this year, the UK has experienced significant flooding whilst wildfire numbers threaten to overtake those we saw in 2022, a record year for wildfires.”

He added: “It is impossible not to be concerned about the very real and immediate threat climate change poses to our communities, with that threat only set to grow.”

Brook said: “When it comes to the emergency response to these events, it is fire and rescue who are at the forefront and yet they risk being the forgotten member of the emergency service family.”

He added: “With risks around extreme weather increasing, we need urgent and sustained investment in fire and rescue services. Without this, our ability to keep communities safe and protect homes and businesses is seriously undermined.”

Committee outlines current and projected climate risks for the UK

The Climate Change Committee’s 2025 adaptation progress report states that extreme weather linked to climate change is already affecting the UK.

According to the Committee, impacts include increased flooding, higher temperatures, and wildfire-conducive conditions.

It reported that over 6.3 million properties in England are currently in areas at risk of flooding, with projections estimating this could reach 8 million by 2050.

The Committee also highlighted risks to transport infrastructure, with more than a third of roads and railways already exposed to flooding, increasing to around half by 2050.

It stated that extreme heat is also disrupting railways and electricity systems and contributing to thousands of deaths each year.

Without action, it warned this number could rise to over 10,000 annually by 2050, particularly affecting older people.

Climate change poses broader national impacts

The Climate Change Committee warned that climate-related risks extend beyond emergency services and infrastructure.

It reported that more than half of England’s highest quality agricultural land is at risk of flooding, with greater exposure predicted in the next 25 years.

The Committee said UK biodiversity is also threatened, noting it is already in decline.

It stated that sea level rise is expected to increase coastal flooding and erosion risks.

Estimates suggest climate change could reduce UK GDP by up to 7 percent by 2050 if left unaddressed.

According to the Committee, public and private institutions are currently unprepared for these pressures.

Committee outlines four recommendations for improved adaptation

The Climate Change Committee called for action in four key areas to strengthen the UK’s climate change preparedness.

It recommended that the Government set clear and measurable adaptation goals, assign roles across sectors, and link climate risks to national resilience efforts.

The report also urged that adaptation planning be embedded in relevant policies and supported with funding through the next Spending Review.

It stated that assets and services such as hospitals and transport networks must be resilient to current and future weather conditions.

Finally, the Committee called for a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and improve learning across all sectors.

Baroness Brown, Chair of the Adaptation Committee, said: “We have seen in the last couple of years that the country is not prepared for the impacts of climate change.”

She continued: “We know there is worse to come, and we are not ready – indeed in many areas we are not even planning to be ready.”

Brown said: “The threat is greatest for the most vulnerable: we do not have resilient hospitals, schools, or care homes.”

She added: “Public and private institutions alike are unprepared.”

She stated: “We can see our country changing before our eyes.”

Brown said: “People are having to cope with more regular extreme weather impacts.”

She added: “People are experiencing increasing food prices.”

She said: “People are worried about vulnerable family members during heatwaves.”

Brown concluded: “Ineffective and outdated ways of working within Government are holding back the country’s ability to be future-fit.”

She asked: “Is this Government going to face up to the reality of our situation?”

She concluded: “Failing to act will impact every family and every person in the country.”

Climate change adaptation in UK emergency response: Summary

The National Fire Chiefs Council has said that fire and rescue services are under pressure from rising climate-related emergencies.

The statement was made in response to a new report from the Climate Change Committee.

The Committee reported that extreme weather events such as floods and heatwaves are becoming more frequent in the UK.

NFCC Lead on Environment and Climate Change Ben Brook said fire services need investment to respond effectively.

Brook said that wildfires and flooding are becoming more severe.

The Committee’s report found that 6.3 million properties in England are at flood risk.

This number could reach 8 million by 2050.

Over a third of UK road and rail infrastructure is already at flood risk.

This is expected to increase to around half by mid-century.

Extreme heat is contributing to thousands of deaths annually.

Without further measures, this number could exceed 10,000 deaths each year by 2050.

Over half of top-quality farmland in England is currently exposed to flooding.

Sea level rise is increasing the risk of coastal erosion and flooding.

The Committee warned that climate change could reduce GDP by up to 7 percent.

It said adaptation targets, cross-government coordination, policy integration, and monitoring must improve.

The Committee concluded that adaptation efforts across the UK remain inadequate.