The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has published its latest progress report, and warns an increasing number of properties will be at risk of flooding or overheating but the UK’s preparations are ‘inadequate’, ‘piecemeal’ and ‘disjointed’.
The report comes ahead of the Law Society’s practice note on climate risk, which is set to be published on 12 May. The guidance has been prepared following a consultation in September last year, which was met with widespread criticism from the industry and claims that the Law Society ‘has got this whole topic very wrong’.
The CCC predicts that 25% of all properties will be at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea and surface water by 2050. Although many conveyancers have criticised the inclusion of climate risk reporting within the scope of the profession, the CCC insists that ‘monitoring, evaluation and learning must be implemented across all sectors’, overseen by the government.
The report notes:
“Steadily rising sea levels at the UK’s coasts will increase the risk of coastal flooding and exacerbate coastal erosion. Between 5,000 to 45,000 properties could be in areas at risk of coastal erosion by 2050, depending on how coastlines are managed. Towns and cities will become increasingly hot, with a large fraction of current buildings at risk of reaching uncomfortable and potentially dangerous temperatures in summer heatwaves.”
“Adequate monitoring and evaluation, underpinned by regular data collection and reporting, is essential to track climate impacts and the effect of adaptation measures at a national level.”
Last week, The Times reported that the government is set to announce new rules that will make solar roof panels mandatory on all new builds in England. A government spokesperson said solar panels are “a vital technology” to help deliver net zero and the plans have been broadly welcomed, despite warnings they could slow progress on housebuilding.
CPRE chief executive Roger Mortlock said:
“CPRE has long campaigned for rooftop solar panels to be made compulsory on all new-build homes. The UK’s millions of roofs have the potential to generate huge amounts of cheap and sustainable energy, slash people’s bills and ensure we make the best use of our finite supply of land.
“Net zero is non-negotiable, with solar power a key part of our energy mix. We urge the government to set a target for generating at least 60% of the UK’s solar energy from rooftops.”
The Law Society is holding an online launch event on 14 May to discuss its new guidance, which it says will offer ‘greater clarity on how climate risk affects your conveyancing practice’.
