Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK 2012: Current evidence, recommendations and research gaps

Abstract

The original Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK report, published by the Department of Health in 2002 was one of the earliest attempts at quantifying the health effects of climate change for the UK. In 2008, a further update was published by the Department of Health and the Health Protection Agency, based on new climate change projections for the UK. The present report has been prepared on the recommendation of the Department of Health, and provides further evidence and analysis, based on the most recent climate change projections for the UK. Individual chapters have been written and peer-reviewed by a wide range of experts from academia, industry and government as well as within the Health Protection Agency. The latest UK climate change projections have provided clear indications of the future climate in the UK over the coming decades based on probabilistic outcomes and a range of future emissions scenarios. Where possible, and taking into account the wide range of uncertainties in both climate projections and health effects, quantitative analyses have been performed. For each chapter, the analysis focuses on regional differences in possible future health impacts and discusses vulnerable populations and adaptation effects in the UK. This report follows on from the first UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (published in 2012) and can be used to inform the National Adaptation Programme.