Experts say UK is ‘built for a climate that no longer exists’

WALES is being warned it cannot afford to wait to adapt to a changing climate, as high temperatures continue to affect communities across the country.

Climate experts and campaigners say Wales and the wider UK remain dangerously underprepared for worsening heatwaves, flooding, drought and pressure on food production.

The warning follows a major report by the Climate Change Committee, the UK’s independent climate advisory body, which states that the country is “built for a climate that no longer exists”.

The committee says climate change is already undermining the UK’s security and prosperity, with impacts expected to intensify rapidly over the coming decades unless urgent action is taken.

Bethan Sayed, Head of Politics at Climate Cymru, said: “The message is clear: Wales cannot afford to wait. We are already living with the impacts of a climate our infrastructure was never designed for, and things are only going to get worse.

“Our farmers are on the frontline, facing drought, flooding and growing uncertainty about what they can produce. At the same time, our towns and cities are not prepared for the levels of heat we are heading towards, putting lives at risk, especially among the most vulnerable.

“We know what needs to be done, from climate-resilient farming and water security to redesigning our communities to cope with heat and flooding.

“Across Wales, local groups are already taking action to try and protect themselves, but the question remains: will governments act with the urgency this moment demands?

“Delaying action will cost far more, in lives, livelihoods and public finances, than investing now to protect people and build resilience.”

The Climate Change Committee warns that by 2050 the UK could face significantly more extreme climate conditions.

Among the risks identified are up to 92% of homes overheating during severe heatwaves, river flows increasing by up to 45%, and summer droughts causing water shortages of more than five billion litres a day.

In Wales, many of those pressures are already being felt. Farmers are dealing with increasingly unpredictable weather, crop losses and rising costs, while communities face greater exposure to floods, heatwaves and water scarcity.

Campaigners say the issue is no longer only about cutting emissions, but also about preparing homes, public services, transport, farming and water systems for the climate impacts that are already locked in.

Despite growing evidence of the risks, adaptation efforts are not keeping pace with the scale of the challenge. Experts warn that without faster action, Wales risks avoidable damage to infrastructure, food systems, public health and local economies.

The committee says the UK must prepare for at least 2C of global heating by 2050, while recognising that 4C by the end of the century remains possible.

Climate Cymru said this means urgent, large-scale investment is needed across all sectors to protect people, strengthen communities and reduce the cost of future climate damage.

MILFORD HAVEN businesses say they are concerned that continuing works connected to the former Motor World redevelopment are affecting footfall and trade in Charles Street.

The roadworks and planned closures are linked to the construction of new flats on the site of the old Motor World building, a long-awaited town centre redevelopment being delivered by W.B. Griffiths & Sons Ltd.

Milford Haven Business Circle said traders accepted the need for the works, but many had hoped for clearer communication about when closures would be in place, what the works involved, and how long disruption would last.

For some businesses along Charles Street, there is also concern that the impact is being felt beyond the official closure area, with customers potentially assuming shops and services are not accessible.

The Business Circle said the closures were expected to continue through to mid-July, and called for better support for traders during the disruption.

In a statement, the group said: “With the ongoing works and planned road closures on Charles Street continuing through to mid-July, many local businesses are understandably concerned about the impact this will have on footfall and trade.

“While W.B. Griffiths & Sons Ltd are carrying out the works, many businesses had hoped for clearer communication regarding the timings, nature of the works, and when closures would be in place.

“For several businesses along Charles Street, it also feels as though they are still suffering the effects of the closures despite being outside the officially closed area.”

The group said improved signage should be considered, including clearer directions, “Businesses Open As Usual” signs, and better promotion of access routes to encourage customers to continue visiting the street.

The former Motor World site has long been seen as a key regeneration location in Milford Haven town centre. The new flats are intended to bring the vacant site back into use and provide much-needed housing.

However, the Business Circle said more should be done to help existing traders during the construction period.

It added: “We fully appreciate the need for these works to be carried out, but we hope Pembrokeshire County Council may be able to provide additional support for businesses affected during this difficult period.”

The group also suggested that Cllr Paul Miller, who leads on economic development, business support and regeneration strategies, could help advocate for affected businesses.

Planned closure dates listed so far include May 27–29, June 4–5, June 12, June 15–16, June 19, June 22–23, June 29–July 1, July 3, and July 6–10.

Local businesses remain open and are urging residents to continue supporting Charles Street shops and services while the works continue.

The Herald has contacted Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

MS says he will oppose any further centralisation of hospital care in Ceredigion Penfro

PAUL DAVIES MS has said he will continue to oppose any attempt to centralise key hospital services away from Withybush and Bronglais, following a meeting with Hywel Dda University Health Board.

The Ceredigion Penfro Senedd Member said he met health board representatives to discuss the delivery of services across west Wales, amid continuing concern over the future of emergency general surgery at Withybush Hospital and stroke services at Bronglais Hospital.

Mr Davies said he made it “very clear” that he opposed any centralisation of services from the two hospitals.

He said: “I’ve met with Hywel Dda University Health Board to discuss the delivery of services across the health board area.

“I made it very clear that I oppose any centralisation of services from Withybush Hospital and Bronglais Hospital — in particular emergency general surgery services at Withybush and the stroke unit at Bronglais.

“I also told the health board that it needs a change of mindset when it comes to delivering services and that I will continue to stand up for my constituents and oppose them on any plans to remove services from hospitals in Ceredigion Penfro.”

The comments come after months of concern over Hywel Dda’s Clinical Services Plan, which has considered changes to a number of hospital services including emergency general surgery, stroke, critical care, radiology, orthopaedics, urology, endoscopy, dermatology and ophthalmology.

In February, the health board backed a future model for emergency general surgery which would see the service delivered from Bronglais and Glangwili, with Withybush no longer providing that function in the same way.

That decision sparked anger in Pembrokeshire, where campaigners and politicians warned that removing emergency general surgery from Withybush could weaken the long-term position of the hospital’s A&E department and force patients to travel further for urgent treatment.

There is also concern in mid and west Wales over the future of stroke services, with Bronglais Hospital’s stroke unit repeatedly highlighted by local representatives as a vital service for patients in rural Ceredigion and surrounding areas.

Hywel Dda has previously said its clinical services work is aimed at addressing fragile services, improving standards and making care more sustainable across the region.

But Mr Davies said the health board must stop viewing centralisation as the answer.

He added that hospitals in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion serve large rural communities, where journey times, public transport and access to urgent care must be central to any decision about service changes.