4 critical actions the UK government must take to prepare infrastructure for climate change

As climate change continues to intensify, resilient infrastructure is more critical than ever.

And yet, according to the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC), adaptation efforts in the country have been wholly inadequate.

An independent body, the CCC advises the UK government on how to tackle and prepare for climate change. This includes adapting the nation’s infrastructure to withstand its worst effects.

The committee publishes climate adaptation progress reports to parliament every two years. And in its 2025 report – the first since the third national adaptation programme (NAP3) was published in 2023 – it warns the government must act without delay.

A concerning lack of action

While there have been some advancements, overall progress in adapting the UK's infrastructure to climate change has been poor.

Delivery remains limited, and planning efforts are often disjointed. Indeed, not a single climate adaptation outcome shows evidence of ‘good’ delivery or implementation.

This lack of action is particularly concerning given the growing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. In England, for example, the period between October 2022 and March 2024 was the wettest 18 months on record.

These are not new messages. The CCC, the ICE, and many others have been highlighting these shortcomings for some time.

Back to basics

The CCC has outlined four critical changes the government must make.

These recommendations are very much ‘back to basics’. The UK's climate preparations are inadequate across several infrastructure sectors, and to make the needed progress, the government must get the fundamentals right.

1. Set clear objectives and targets

The government needs to set objectives that are clear, measurable, and actionable.

These objectives should guide government departments, and the private sector, in funding and delivering adaptation measures that will have the most impact.

And they should describe what ‘climate resilient’ means to allow departments to set targets that are consistent with national adaptation objectives.

2. Improve coordination across government

Despite some improvements, the overall pace of change when it comes to adaptation is slow.

The government has yet to significantly alter its approach to tackling climate risks, and adaptation isn’t a true cross-government priority.

This must change.

Better coordination across government activities, spending decisions, and sectors will create a more cohesive and effective strategy for managing climate risks.

3. Integrate adaptation into all relevant policies

As the CCC criticised last year, NAP3 focuses on bringing together existing initiatives. It offers few new commitments to support the large-scale delivery of adaptation actions.

Unchecked, climate change could impact UK economic output by up to 7% of GDP by 2050. The spending review on 11 June must support climate adaptation planning with enough resources across government.

The upcoming 10-year infrastructure strategy must also set out how the government will integrate climate adaptation into the delivery of infrastructure.

4. Monitor, evaluate, and learn

Poor monitoring and evaluation of climate risks remain significant barriers to progress.

Limited data makes it difficult for infrastructure owners and operators to accurately assess progress. Adequate monitoring and evaluation frameworks are crucial to track climate impacts and measure the effectiveness of adaptation measures.

The ICE has recommended making the Adaptation Reporting Power of the UK Climate Change Act mandatory for infrastructure owners and operators. This would ensure that all critical infrastructure sectors are regularly assessing and reporting on their climate risks and measures to address them.

Where is progress being made?

Water

The report notes partial progress in increasing water supply through new reservoirs and improved interconnections between water systems.

These measures are crucial for ensuring water security in the face of growing drought and flood risk.

Energy

The establishment of the National Energy System Operator (NESO) in 2024 provides a single body responsible for strategic planning and resilience in the energy network. This is a significant step forward.

Transport

Rail and road networks have made small strides.

Network Rail's regional climate change adaptation plans for 2024 to 2029 include actions to enhance resilience, such as improved drainage systems.

Meanwhile, National Highways' initial report on the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) – due to start in 2026 – sets out actions to improve climate resilience across operations, maintenance, and renewals.

And where are the biggest gaps?

The declining condition of flood defences is a major risk, highlighting the need for long-term investment and maintenance.

The ICE and the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC) are conducting a piece of work on the future management of ageing infrastructure. Due out later in 2025, this will explore how decision-makers can better prioritise maintenance.

Significant gaps also remain in water supply and energy resilience. Efforts to reduce water demand and improve the performance of the water system are insufficient, and energy assets remain vulnerable to extreme weather.

In case you missed it

• Read how Finland is making sure its infrastructure can withstand the climate crisis.