London Faces Severe Overheating Risk, Threatening Over a Million Homes and Critical Infrastructure
London is confronting significant overheating risks, with over a million homes, 300 care homes, and 1,300 schools identified as vulnerable. This issue was brought to the forefront by unprecedented heatwaves in July 2022, which highlighted the urgent need for enhanced climate resilience measures. Mete Çoban, the Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, emphasized that no region globally is adequately prepared for the intensity of recent heatwaves. The 'Heat Ready London' plan, launched in June, aims to address these challenges by providing a framework of short, medium, and long-term actions for local authorities. The plan followed the London Climate Resilience Review and Operation Helios, which stress-tested the capital's emergency response to extreme heat. The findings indicate that without intervention, the cumulative cost to London could reach £36 billion annually by the 2050s.
