The UK government, led by Andy Burnham, faces urgent calls to implement a series of climate crisis policies following a summer marked by record-breaking temperatures, wildfires, hosepipe bans, and thousands of premature deaths. Experts and campaigners have outlined 10 measures that should be announced immediately to address the escalating emergency, which has already left its mark across the country in 2026.
Rejecting North Sea Drilling and Taxing Fossil Fuel Giants
One of the first recommended actions is to reject drilling licences for the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gasfields. This would signal a firm commitment to the clean, green economy of the 21st century and strengthen the UK's diplomatic position in international climate negotiations. The purported benefits of approving these fields are largely illusory; they would have no impact on UK energy prices, as oil and gas are commodities priced by international markets. The UK Energy Research Council has stated: "Assertions that drilling the North Sea will provide energy resilience and affordability in the face of current fuel price shocks are a delusion." Additionally, the licences would support very few jobs compared to the growing green economy, and the carbon intensity argument ignores the cleaner record of Norway, the UK's main gas importer, and the methane emissions from LNG.
To fund adaptation measures, the government should increase the windfall tax on fossil fuel giants. The eight largest oil companies made a staggering $93bn in the three months to the end of June, almost double their profits from the same period last year. These excess profits, driven by the very emissions causing the crisis, could be taxed to raise substantial sums for public coffers and emergency adaptation efforts.
Water Management and National Control
The UK is predicted to face a shortfall of 5bn litres of water a day by 2055, equivalent to 2,000 Olympic-sized pools. Making grey water reuse mandatory in new buildings and incentivising rainwater harvesting could significantly reduce demand. Grey water recycling captures water from sinks, showers, baths, and washing machines for non-potable uses like toilet flushing, potentially reducing an individual's water consumption by 50%. While some water-stressed areas require developers to demonstrate no net increase in water use, there is no mandate in the government's future homes standard. The Drinking Water Inspectorate is moving towards removing legislative barriers.
Bringing the water industry under national control is another key proposal. Privatised water companies have overseen record sewage pollution levels and prioritised shareholder dividends over infrastructure investment. More than £85bn has gone to shareholders, while the industry has failed to build reservoirs, upgrade leaking pipes (a fifth of water is lost to leakage), and ensure wastewater treatment capacity. With debts exceeding £60bn, many companies cannot provide legally bound services. Campaigners like Surfers Against Sewage argue that public control would remove short-term profit motives, enable lower-cost borrowing for capital investments, and enforce a 25- to 50-year resilience strategy across regional catchments.
Protecting People and Homes from Heat
Firefighters in the UK lack proper equipment for large, unpredictable wildfires. Unlike Spain, which uses specialised amphibious planes and helicopters, the UK owns no dedicated water-bombing planes. British fire services rely on ground crews, occasional military support, and privately chartered helicopters with suspended buckets. During June's heatwaves, workplace temperatures became unbearable, with teachers reporting classrooms over 40C and bus drivers facing "horrendous" conditions in their cabs. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) wants a maximum working temperature, backed by the Climate Change Committee, with rules requiring employers to reduce temperatures above 24C and allowing workers to stop if it reaches 30C, or 27C for strenuous jobs.
Funding cool spaces in every community is also essential. As heatwaves intensify, vulnerable people need free access to cool, well-ventilated spaces. School halls, libraries, and leisure centres could be reassigned during extreme heat. Barcelona has pioneered climate shelters with over 400 across the city, and experts say the UK should catch up.
Retrofitting, Tree Planting, and Regenerative Agriculture
A national retrofit programme is needed to address the UK's draughty, energy-inefficient homes. A report suggested councils could lead, training and employing their own workforce, starting with public services like hospitals and care homes, then moving to council, social, and privately owned homes. This would improve climate resilience, tackle the cost of living, create secure jobs, and stimulate growth.
Planting more trees and protecting existing nature is crucial. Trees absorb carbon and create shade, reducing the urban heat island effect. Neighbourhoods with over 20% urban tree canopy experience net cooling. However, a newly planted tree takes 15-20 years to shade a building, so conserving existing trees is vital. Dr Thami Croeser, lead author of an RMIT University study, said: "Every mature tree lost now is irreplaceable on the timeline that matters for current heatwaves."
Encouraging regenerative agriculture approaches can increase food resilience. This method allows land, soil, water, and nutrients to regenerate, making crops more resistant to drought. One study found a 23% increase in soil moisture content under regenerative management. Alastair Chisholm, water, policy, regulation and governance lead at Arup, said current agricultural policies are not driving widespread adoption, but changing this would be an easy win to boost food security.
