The Committee identifies overheating, alongside flooding and drought, as the UK’s most pressing climate risks. It warns that without intervention, 92% of homes are likely to overheat by 2050. Hospitals, care homes, schools and workplaces are already experiencing heat-related disruption, and the CCC argues that the UK must treat cooling as a core public safety requirement rather than a seasonal concern.

The report calls for investment in active and passive cooling measures, including air conditioning, heat pumps, shading and improved ventilation. It also urges the government to introduce a national maximum workplace temperature to protect workers and encourage wider deployment of cooling technologies. The CCC estimates that around £11 billion a year will be needed across public and private sectors to address climate impacts, noting that the cost of inaction could reach up to 5% of GDP by 2050.

Baroness Brown, Chair of the Adaptation Committee, said the UK is already seeing the effects of extreme heat and must act decisively to protect people in homes, hospitals and community settings. She emphasised that proven technologies exist and that adaptation is essential to safeguarding public welfare and economic stability.

Responding to the report, Heat Pump Association Chief Executive Charlotte Lee said the findings underline the urgency of preparing buildings for higher temperatures. She noted that heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling from the same system, offering a long-term, low-carbon solution as the UK adapts to a warmer climate. Lee added that a whole-building approach – combining efficient cooling, insulation, shading and ventilation – will be essential to reduce grid pressure and protect vulnerable occupants during extreme heat.

The CCC’s report positions cooling as a critical component of national resilience, warning that the UK must move quickly to ensure buildings remain safe and habitable as temperatures continue to rise.