Britain’s housing sector must be redesigned for a hotter climate, the Liberal Democrats have warned, calling for every new home to be built with air conditioning or an effective low-energy cooling system.
The party argues that the UK is increasingly vulnerable to extreme heat events and is “woefully unprepared” for the climate pressures ahead, after recent heatwaves pushed temperatures to record levels.
Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrats’ environment spokesman, said the Government must act urgently to protect households from rising temperatures, particularly elderly and vulnerable people who face the greatest risks during periods of extreme heat.
This latest set of relentless heatwaves has taught us that Britain is woefully unprepared for extreme heat,” he said, arguing that developers should be required to build homes designed for future climate conditions.
The proposed policy would require new-build properties to include air conditioning or alternative cooling technology powered by renewable energy such as solar.
The party said current building standards do not adequately reflect the changing climate, leaving many homes poorly equipped to deal with prolonged periods of high temperatures.
Gideon Amos, the Liberal Democrats’ housing spokesman, said cooling systems were becoming an essential feature of modern homes rather than a luxury.
Andy Burnham must see sense and enable the country to adapt fast,” he said, urging ministers to focus on building homes that provide greater protection against extreme weather.
The proposal comes amid a wider debate over how Britain should prepare its infrastructure for climate change, balancing the need for greater resilience against concerns over energy demand, household costs and environmental impact.
For the Government, the challenge will be finding a way to ensure new homes remain affordable while adapting to a climate that is already testing the limits of existing building standards.
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