Government 'might have to choose areas to let flood in the future', warn experts

13 October 2023 , 15:57

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Future UK governments might be forced to decide where to let floods happen, MPs were told (Image: PA)

Up to 1.5 million UK homes could face a higher flood risk by 2080 due to rising sea levels, MPs have been told.

Experts say high tides will erode coastlines and place homes in jeopardy, with the Thames Barrier – built to protect London from flooding – likely to need an upgrade to cope. Scientists told an Environmental Audit sub-committee on polar research that changes to the landscape could force future governments to choose where they build defences and where they let flooding happen.

Scientists also warned that greenhouse gases have warmed the atmosphere enough to cause a global sea level rise of up to 52mm by 2100. In 2019 the Mirror reported from Greenland where a 22C Arctic heatwave was melting the ice at an unprecedented rate.

Sub-committee chair James Gray said: “For too long the effects of a changing Arctic have been out of sight, out of mind. Before melting glaciers and ice sheets contribute to widespread flooding and irreversible weather patterns, we must throw our full toolbox at understanding Arctic changes better. We must prioritise and put more funding behind scientific and multi-disciplinary research.”

The committee said the UK government should treat the Arctic with more prominence and appoint a polar envoy. Isabella O’Dowd, of the World Wildlife Fund, said: “If 1.5 mil-lion UK homes at greater risk of flooding due to already locked in sea-level rise is not a reason for more action on climate change, I don’t know what is.

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“The government’s own watchdog tells us that delaying climate action will increase energy and transport costs for UK households. We want to see Rishi Sunak’s sums to see what he based his decision on.

“As we approach the next general election all political parties must pledge their continued commitment to follow the science and listen to the independent advice of the Climate Change Committee.”

Nada Farhoud