CCC report shows governments unprepared for climate breakdown
The UK and Scottish Governments are not doing enough to adapt to rising temperatures and increasing extreme weather events because of climate breakdown, senior climate advisors have warned.
A new report from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) [1] warns policies are failing to keep pace with increased climate risks, which will happen even if the world successfully brings emissions down.
These risks include to power supply and infrastructure, crops, livestock, habitats, soil quality and natural carbon stores like forests and peatlands.
The report also warns that climate change is likely to widen inequalities.
Launching the report, CCC chief executive Chris Stark said there was “no clear evidence that climate risks or opportunities for agriculture and forestry are being strategically managed across the UK”.
Commenting, Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said: “This report is crystal clear that both the UK and Scottish Governments have failed to take action to adapt to the rising temperatures and extreme weather events that threaten our way of life. It warns that opportunities to get this right are time limited, which is why resilience and sustainability needs to be at the heart of plans for the economic recovery.
“These things are happening to Scotland now. We have all seen the floods, the landslips and the increasing fire risks from summer dry spells. There is no time to wait to protect our food supply, infrastructure and natural environment. We must invest wisely and ensure all government policy strategies are aligned. Our future depends on it.”