Heat Stress
Based on UKCP18 Met Office predictions, by 2070, summer temperatures will be 1-6C warmer and 60% drier, with a greater possibility of heatwaves. This could cause of seasonal spikes in heatstroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health issues.
High temperatures will also reduce physical work capacity and cognitive performance, significantly impacting productivity, Heat stress can create liability via health and safety duties for employers, occupier claims, employment claims, and reduced property value or marketability.
A simple, credible Heat Stress Indicator for Property Searches
As our summers grow ever hotter, it is our urban areas that are in the frontline of climate change. Our data identifies hotspots based on the density of building fabric, extent of hard surfaces and proximity of green space to provide a comprehensive view of localised warming that could have serious health impacts to residents and workers.
Cold Stress
Cold stress occurs by driving down the skin temperature, and eventually the internal body temperature. When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold-related illnesses and injuries may occur, and permanent tissue damage and death may result.
Four factors contribute to cold stress: cold temperatures, high or cold wind, dampness and cold water. Buildings react differently to cold based on their fabric, age and insulation. There are also serious impacts to our critical infrastructure from intense freezing periods in vulnerable locations.
Water Stress
Parts of the UK are experiencing periods of drought and water stress greater than that in areas of Africa. At the same time, property development and general population increase is placing strain on our finite water resources.
Water stress has direct impacts on soil quality and productivity, therefore food crop yields, but it has also become a major planning consideration for local larger scale housing development and its impact on existing water networks and resources, placing them under greater strain.
Storm Risk
As our climate warms, storm events are becoming ever more frequent and severe, resulting in widespread flooding, as well as building and infrastructure damage. Storm prone areas of the UK are facing a future of more Atlantic storms powered by energised heat in the atmosphere, requiring a rethink about resilience, the need to retrofit or design in resistant materials and better surface flood management.
New developments also need to think about local drainage conditions, the role of SuDS in mitigating flood risk and better resilience in the home to combat surface flooding.
Fire Risk
The record summer temperatures and wildfires of 2022 taught us all a stark lesson in how climate change can threaten lives and livelihoods. Periods of drought, coupled with tinder-dry vegetation combine to create elevated fire risks to communities across the country.
Wildfire risk is becoming a growing property asset value security issue, threatening a total loss in value - far more significantly than flooding, and far less easily defended.
