Just 20 of 6,600 Defra staff working on climate adaptation amid drought and wildfires
A freedom of information request reveals that only 20 out of 6,600 staff at the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are dedicated to climate adaptation. Critics argue this leaves England dangerously unprepared for the economic and physical impacts of climate change.
Why it matters
The disparity between climate risks and government staffing levels highlights potential systemic failures in public policy and disaster preparedness.
The UK government has been warned that it is lagging far behind in terms of adapting to a new climate as a result of global heating. Photograph: Vuk Valcic/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock The UK government has been warned that it is lagging far behind in terms of adapting to a new climate as a result of global heating. Photograph: Vuk Valcic/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock Environment policy Just 20 of 6,600 Defra staff working on climate adaptation amid drought and wildfires Exclusive: England ‘desperately unprepared’ for effects of crisis including water shortages and heatwaves
Prefer the Guardian on Google Just 20 staff are working on climate adaptation within a key government department tasked with protecting the environment and maintaining food security, a freedom of information request has revealed.
The officials make up 0.3% of staff within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
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