3 ways the UK can take climate resilience beyond flood defences

This summer’s searing heatwaves stand in stark contrast to the opening months of 2025.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay cancelled. North Wales experiencing its second wettest day on record. The Mersey bursting its banks in Greater Manchester. Fifty children rescued from a cut-off school in Lincolnshire.

These are not isolated incidents, but urgent reminders of the UK's increasing vulnerability to a volatile climate.

The recent Spending Review’s £4.2 billion commitment to flood defences in England is, undeniably, a welcome step.

It acknowledges the growing reality of flood risk, with 6.3 million properties currently exposed, a figure projected to surge to 8 million by 2050.

But genuine, lasting resilience demands far more than a ‘thin green line of defence’ solely focused on flooding.

To truly safeguard our communities and economy, the UK must embrace a comprehensive approach that prioritises three critical pillars:

• transcending silos;
• integrating climate risk into all investment decisions; and
• recognising the profound economic value of proactive adaptation.

1. A unified approach to climate resilience

Climate impacts rarely happen in isolation. Heatwaves often occur alongside droughts and wildfires, which can then be followed by storms and flash floods.

This affects infrastructure, health services, and communities in complex ways that cross the boundaries of traditional government departments.

Consider the government's ambitious housing targets. Every new home needs to be equipped for not only flood risk, but water scarcity and extreme heat.

Failure to embed resilience as a key design principle in new social housing will create future vulnerabilities and trap communities in an endless cycle of repair and recovery.

As Hannah Gurga, director general of the Association of British Insurers, emphasised: "Every house needs to be able to withstand flooding, extreme heat, stronger winds and subsidence."

In late June, a Public First poll found that over half (57%) of the British public say that hot weather causes too much disruption, with significant impacts on work, study, and commutes.

This highlights a broader public concern: 63% believe the UK's infrastructure is simply not fit for the demands of modern Britain.

Transcending silos

This means a fundamental shift in governance. We need clear leadership and coordinated policy that crosses the traditional silos of government departments.

The new National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) is perfectly positioned to drive this.

Public First’s recommendation to track climate resilience across all government infrastructure spending is a step in the right direction.

By fostering collaboration and cooperation across all levels of government and properly funding and training local authorities, we can move towards a truly unified national resilience strategy.

2. Integrating climate risk into all investment decisions

The £725 billion 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy is a massive opportunity to integrate climate risk in all long-term government investment decisions.

By embedding resilience into every stage of infrastructure planning, we can build systems that anticipate, withstand, and rapidly recover from climate impacts.

This means going beyond simple funding. It's establishing clear, measurable goals and robust standards that drive proactive, rather than reactive, approaches.

The London Climate Resilience Review, which I chaired, provides a blueprint.

Commissioned in response to the devastating flash floods of 2021 and the 40°C heatwave of 2022, its 50 recommendations are highly relevant across the nation.

Essential climate proofing

Climate impacts often occur at the same time and have cascading effects.

The review highlighted the need for a holistic risk assessment – one that examines the full range of climate impacts across interconnected systems.

It also underscored the ‘silent killer’ of extreme heat and the growing threat of water scarcity, calling for strategic, cross-sector action plans that go beyond just flood protection.

New housing and infrastructure must incorporate updated resilience and technical standards from the outset.

This ‘climate-proofing’ is not an optional add-on, but a fundamental requirement for long-term liveability and economic stability.

3. An investment, not a cost

The most compelling argument for climate resilience lies in its undeniable economic value.

The London Climate Resilience Review showed that climate change could impact London's GDP by 2-3% every year by the 2050s, with costs escalating further into the century.

This underscores the ICE’s recommendation for a full national review of the economic value of resilience and adaptation.

Proactive investment in resilience is not a cost, but a vital investment in long-term economic security and growth. It will ultimately reduce future repair bills and insurance costs.

Every £1 invested in flood defences prevents around £8 of damage. £3 of that is a direct saving for the government, because more than a third of flood damage is to publicly owned infrastructure like roads, railways, schools, and hospitals.

Failure to invest jeopardises businesses, public services, and livelihoods.

As the UK Green Building Council’s chief executive Simon McWhirter said: “Our homes, schools, hospitals and offices are on the frontline, protecting and nurturing us.

“They’re the essential ingredients that keep us warm, safe and comfortable, and they are in danger.”

A foundation to build upon

The Spending Review's flood funding is a positive and necessary start. But it must be seen as a foundation upon which to build.

The security and prosperity of our communities, and indeed our very way of life, depend on it.

In case you missed it

• ICE starts work on climate adaptation and infrastructure productivity standards
• 6 takeaways from the UK government’s 2025 Spending Review
• How two countries are financing climate-proof infrastructure

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