Turning up the heat - Learning from the summer 2022 heatwaves in England to inform UK

Policies and governance for heat While the most effective way to minimise the longer-term impacts of extreme heat is through cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the severity and frequency of heatwave periods around the world, including in the UK, will continue to grow in the short term even once global emissions reach net zero. [...] The strategy should be coordinated by a single government department with involvement of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Cabinet Office, and support from regional and local government, in close collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). [...] This report presents insights on heat resilience policy and practice in the UK to inform future preparedness and responses to extreme heat, incorporating the experiences and views of decision-makers and practitioners who worked on the frontline of the 2022 heatwaves across England. [...] Views from the frontline on the 2022 summer heatwaves in England To understand England’s response to the 2022 heatwaves as a way to inform wider UK policy on heat, this section provides insights from the perspectives of local authorities, emergency response personnel, community organisations, and utility providers from London, Manchester and the Yorkshire and Humber region, and from government dep. [...] - First responder The 2022 heatwaves response in England: a summary of views Drawing on the analysis above, we have created a systems map (see Figure 3.2) that details the impacts and exacerbators of the 2022 heatwaves in England and perceptions of positive and negative aspects of the actions taken, deriving from our interviews and focus groups.