More than 800,000 homes across the UK could face severe flood risk by 2080, according to a new analysis by flood risk firm Geosmart for Greenpeace. The study, based on a 2.4°C global temperature rise scenario, projects 866,000 properties—equivalent to all homes in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Sheffield combined—could be at 'high' or 'very high' risk.
Scotland would be hardest hit, with 386,716 homes (19% of all Scottish homes) at elevated risk. Other regions include the South East (122,484 homes), Wales (71,431), South West (65,884), East of England (59,918), East Midlands (53,229), North West (45,320), Yorkshire and the Humber (35,459), West Midlands (18,049), and North East (7,595). The findings come as southern England experiences its wettest start to the year on record.
Greenpeace UK’s senior climate campaigner Phillip Evans said: 'The economic cost of the storms and floods battering Britain is skyrocketing. Already, homes in some areas are becoming uninsurable and in certain cases insurers are abandoning towns, leaving councils to pick up the tab.' He called for oil giants like Shell to foot the bill for climate breakdown.
A separate analysis by Friends of the Earth found one million homes in England are already at highest flood risk, with a further 1.89 million people pushed into that category if emissions aren't cut. The group highlighted 611,000 people facing additional social risks due to low income, renting, disability, or lack of insurance.
Ahead of local elections in May, campaigners are urging political parties to compel polluters to pay, adequately fund local authorities and emergency services, and ensure affordable home insurance for those affected. Friends of the Earth’s Mike Childs said: 'We need to protect people from flooding now, while also tackling the root cause—climate change.'
