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Aviva report highlights climate-change impacts on homes and iconic landmarks
A new report by Aviva highlights the impacts of climate change on the UK's homes, as well as on some of its iconic landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle.
In 2021, the castle experienced surface-water flooding, which triggered emergency-response protocols.
Commenting on the report, Jason Storah, chief executive, UK & Ireland General Insurance, Aviva, said: “In the UK we have seen the impacts of our changing climate and this year is no exception. Record temperatures, wildfires and flash flooding have affected lives across the globe and it is clear that action is needed to adapt to the increasing frequency of these events.
“Our Building Future Communities report lays bare the risks that homes and businesses could experience by 2050. The findings are stark. Millions more properties could be at risk from flooding, with rising temperatures, increased urbanisation and inadequate drainage exacerbating the risks in future.
“Well-known landmarks will not be immune to the threats. A changing climate is already impacting us, and in future, it is likely we will need to learn to live with extreme weather. Adapting our properties and infrastructure is key.
“To make the UK climate-ready, we are calling for urgent, collective action to be taken to ensure we can mitigate the risks we will all face.”
The report points out that in Scotland, 80 per cent more properties could face river and coastal flood risk, and more than double are likely to experience surface water flooding by 2080. Peak rainfall intensities in Scotland are projected to increase by 10–20 per cent by 2050.
The study also highlights some of the projects that Aviva is involved with to help improve resilience. Across the UK, the insurer has pledged more than £80m towards nature-based solutions projects which capture carbon, contribute towards flood resilience, and help to restore natural habitats.
