Our nation is dangerously unprepared for the accelerating impacts of climate change, according to a new report by the Climate Change Committee (CCC), which highlights growing risks to people, infrastructure, food security and the economy.
The CCC’s 2025 progress report finds that despite overwhelming evidence of worsening climate extremes such as heatwaves, flooding and coastal erosion, government action has stagnated.
Notably, the change in government has brought no significant progress on adaptation planning.
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. We know there is worse to come and we are not ready – indeed in many areas we are not even planning to be ready.”
The CCC says risks are growing rapidly.
Around half of England’s highest quality agricultural land is already at risk of flooding. By 2050, that will increase further, impacting food production.
The number of properties at flood risk is projected to grow from 6.3 million to 8 million—one in four homes in England.
Infrastructure is also under strain.
One third of roads and railways face flood risk, likely rising to half by 2050. Extreme heat is already causing rail buckling and power line sagging. Heat-related deaths, already in the thousands annually, could rise above 10,000 by mid-century.
The economic impact is just as stark. Unchecked climate change could shrink UK GDP by up to 7% by 2050.
The report calls for urgent action in four areas: setting clear objectives and targets, improving government coordination, integrating climate resilience across all policy areas and implementing robust monitoring and learning systems.
Baroness Brown added, “Failing to act will impact every family and every person in the country.” Without immediate and coordinated national efforts, the CCC warns the UK will fall further behind in its ability to adapt to a changing climate.
