UK heatwaves may have cost economy £4.4bn in lost output so far this year, analysis finds
A report by the thinktank Verdant estimates that UK heatwaves have cost the economy £4.4bn in lost output so far this year. The analysis suggests that without urban redesign and worker protections, these costs could exceed £25bn annually by 2030.
Why it matters
It highlights the growing economic burden of climate change on national productivity and the urgent need for infrastructure adaptation.
Verdant said the government should also compensate workers forced to cut hours due to extreme heat. Verdant said the government should also compensate workers forced to cut hours due to extreme heat. Economics UK heatwaves may have cost economy £4.4bn in lost output so far this year, analysis finds Verdant thinktank says cost could top £25bn a year by 2030 and calls for maximum temperature for working and urban redesign to cool down cities
Prefer the Guardian on Google Repeated debilitating heatwaves this summer are likely to have cost the UK economy more than £4bn in lost economic output by the end of July, new analysis shows.
Green thinktank Verdant had suggested June’s unseasonally hot weather had an economic cost of £2.36bn . Updating its assessment to include last month’s high temperatures, it finds a £4.4bn hit to output.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in