Risks associated with climate change in Lambeth
Lambeth faces hotter drier summers, warmer wetter winters, and more extreme weather.
The climate crisis is a result of the burning of fossil fuels through human activity, releasing greenhouse gases into our atmosphere, warming our planet, changing our weather patterns and damaging the natural environment.
The main climate risks we face in Lambeth are:
- flooding
- Urban Heat Island (UHI)
- increased inequalities
Flooding
Flooding from the River Thames and our sewers will increase in the future due to more rainfall with climate change. Research by the Met Office and Environment Agency shows Lambeth will see a 40 percent rise in storm intensity by 2100. This means more frequent and severe storms and surface water flooding – caused when the rainwater is prevented from draining naturally to the ground due to hard surfaces such as buildings, roads, driveways, or pavements. This leads to the sewer systems becoming overwhelmed.
There are over 13,500 homes at risk of flash flooding from a 1-in-100-year storm (1 percent AEP risk).
Urban Heat Island (UHI)
The UHI effect means that cities can be significantly warmer than surrounding areas. Hotter temperatures pose health risks to our residents, especially those living in flats or without access to gardens; threaten our habitats and wildlife, and disrupt our infrastructure.
Increased inequalities
We know that the effects of climate change are not felt equally, with already vulnerable groups affected disproportionately. This will typically affect poorer and more vulnerable groups in Lambeth who have fewer resources to adapt.
Almost a third of residents are living in poverty once housing costs are taken into account, and 20 percent of people in Lambeth are paid below the London Living Wage. Climate change risk can intersect with existing inequalities, meaning that women, multi-ethnic groups, older and younger people, and disabled people are more likely to be vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
To adapt to the identified climate risks, we will need to consider a wide range of interventions including ways to minimise flood risk and overheating. Our primary method of achieving this is funding and installing SuDS.