Ankara: The UK government has been advised to enhance its buildings and infrastructure to endure a minimum 2 degrees Celsius increase in global temperatures by 2050. This recommendation comes from the Climate Change Committee (CCC), which cautions that the current strategies to address extreme weather conditions are inadequate.

According to Anadolu Agency, the CCC's subcommittee on climate impacts, chaired by Julia King, emphasized that adaptation efforts have been underfinanced and insufficiently supported. King warned that inaction could leave the UK severely vulnerable to future climate impacts. The committee highlighted the necessity for new constructions, expected to last decades, to be resilient against up to 4°C of warming above preindustrial levels.

Projections indicate that heatwaves could affect England in four out of five years by 2050, while drought durations are anticipated to double. Additionally, the peak conditions for wildfires in July could potentially triple. River flood peaks might surge by 40%, with flooding becoming a year-round concern.

King further noted that global warming is already impacting essential services such as the National Health Service, schools, and critical infrastructure like transportation, energy, and communication networks. She stressed the importance of ensuring that the government's plan to construct 1.5 million new homes incorporates long-term sustainability measures.

The CCC's recommendations were in response to a request from Floods Minister Emma Hardy, who sought new guidelines for preparing for future climate risks. The committee's comprehensive report on achieving a 'well-adapted' UK is scheduled for release in May.

Douglas Parr, Greenpeace UK's chief scientist, expressed concern that the government should be alarmed, as worsening weather conditions could significantly affect daily life, food systems, and safety. Separately, a report called for a major overhaul of the food system, advocating reduced meat consumption and fewer livestock to improve food security and reduce emissions. Neil Ward of the University of East Anglia remarked that significant changes are inevitable.

The CCC concluded that proactive adaptation measures would be more cost-effective than delayed reactions to climate impacts.