A new report, published by Central London Forward, a partnership of the 12 central London local authorities, examines the growing impacts of climate change and recommends urgent action to support boroughs in adapting at the scale and pace required.
Summer 2025 saw record-breaking heat across London, with climate change contributing to 263 excess deaths in a single week in June.
The report is published as the UK experiences its hottest spring on record, with temperatures in London reaching 35°C last week.
Without further adaptation, the effects of climate change are projected to cost London £10–15 billion annually by 2050 and put more lives in danger.
Adapting to the rising risk of climate change: Local government in central London highlights how extreme heat, flooding, drought and infrastructure disruption are already affecting residents, public services and local economies across the capital.
The research combines academic evidence and lived experience with interviews and workshops involving local authorities and external stakeholders across central London.
The report calls for:
- National Government to secure long-term, consistent funding for adaptation projects and establish statutory expectations;
- The Government should embed climate adaptation into planning policy to ensure it is fully considered in new infrastructure and housing;
- Local authorities to highlight the financial benefits of early investment in adaptation.
While boroughs remain on the frontline of adaptation and resilience work by keeping people safe and protecting the built environment, the report identifies significant barriers to taking the required action, including limited long-term funding, difficulty communicating the risks and benefits of early action and a lack of statutory requirements for adaptation planning and investment.
Alongside these challenges, the report identifies opportunities to strengthen climate resilience across central London through improved cross-borough collaboration, stronger planning frameworks and partnerships with businesses and academia, and clearer communication around the benefits of early climate adaptation for residents and communities.
This report is written by Policy Officer Emily Arbuckle.
Central London Forward will launch the report with a panel discussion during London Climate Action Week – 20-28 June 2026. You can find further details and register to attend here: Events – London Climate Action Week.