The Environmental Audit Committee will today hear oral evidence from water experts as part of its ongoing inquiry into how the UK is planning on adapting to the growing risk of heatwaves resulting from climate change,

The EAC is considering risks to health, wellbeing and productivity associated with heatwaves, review the level of UK resilience to them and assess the Government’s actions to date. The Committee will also be examining public health risks associated with higher temperatures as well as heatwaves.

Met Office estimates say maximum and minimum UK temperatures have increased by around 1 degree since the 1950s. Globally, all but one of the 16 warmest years on record occurred after 2001.

In the UK, this warming is expected to lead to a rise in the frequency and intensity of summer heatwaves. The record-high UK temperatures of 38°C in 2003 are projected by the Met Office to be the summer norm by 2040 under a medium emissions scenario.

Mary Creagh MP, Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, said:

“Climate change means the UK faces hotter summers and more heatwaves, and our ageing population will face an increased risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths.

“The Government should be doing all it can to protect citizens from risks associated with higher temperatures.

“Our inquiry will look at whether the UK is prepared for higher temperatures, and what more the Government should be doing to protect people, businesses and digital infrastructure from rising temperatures.”

The last assessment of the Government’s actions by the Committee on Climate Change found that the UK lacks policies for adapting the built environment to rising temperatures, or standards to prevent overheating in new developments (including hospitals and care homes).

Water management and the impact higher temperatures will have on the risk of drought and the water supply are among a number of key issues the EAC is examining.

The Committee will hear oral evidence this morning from a number of expert witnesses, including:

• Dr Anastasia Mylona, Research Manager, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
• Cassie Sutherland, Policy and Programmes Manager for Climate Change Adaptation, Greater London Authority
• Aaron Burton, Director of Policy and Innovation, Waterwise
• Alex Plant, Regulation Director, Anglian Water
• Paul Hickey, Deputy Director for Water Resources, Environment Agency

The evidence session starts at 10:15 am this morning - click here to watch the live session.