Commentary: Britain wasn't built for extreme heat - is the law ready?

The UK is experiencing a Red Weather Health Alert. What does this tell us about climate preparedness?

“This Red Weather Health Alert should be viewed not simply as a weather event but as a warning about the UK’s preparedness for a changing climate. While the UK has made significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation has too often been treated as a secondary policy concern despite growing evidence that extreme heat, flooding and drought are already affecting communities across the country.

“Climate resilience is not just an environmental issue. It is about protecting public health, reducing inequalities and safeguarding essential infrastructure and services.”

Are UK laws and policies keeping pace with the risks posed by extreme heat?

“The UK already has important legal and policy frameworks in place, including the Climate Change Act, National Adaptation Programme and Heat-Health Alert system. The challenge is not a lack of policy but ensuring effective delivery, accountability and implementation.

“Much of the UK’s housing, infrastructure and public services were designed for a historically temperate climate rather than one characterised by increasingly frequent and prolonged heatwaves.”

Does the legal framework place sufficient responsibilities on employers and public bodies?

“Employers already have legal duties to protect workers from foreseeable risks, including extreme heat. However, the absence of a maximum workplace temperature creates uncertainty about what constitutes safe working conditions during heatwaves.

“This is particularly relevant for workers in sectors such as construction, agriculture, transport and logistics, where exposure to extreme temperatures can present significant health risks.”

What are the biggest governance gaps exposed by extreme heat?

“One of the biggest gaps is that the UK has developed a much stronger legal framework for reducing emissions than for adapting to climate impacts. Heatwaves affect public health, housing, employment, water resources, transport and energy systems simultaneously, yet responsibility remains spread across multiple organisations and sectors.

“The impacts are also not felt equally, with vulnerable and disadvantaged communities often facing the greatest risks.”

What should policymakers do next?

“Adaptation should be given the same political priority as decarbonisation. Policymakers should focus on improving climate-resilient housing, strengthening protections for workers, investing in green infrastructure and ensuring public services are prepared for more frequent extreme weather events.

“Future heatwaves should not be treated as isolated emergencies but as foreseeable consequences of a changing climate. The goal should be to build healthier, fairer and more climate-resilient communities.”