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Climate change risk and impact assessment

The Climate Change Risk and Impact Assessment for Kent and Medway (CCRIA) was produced in 2019; it describes the changes Kent might face, and the potential risks to Kent’s society, economy and environment.

Understanding the potential future impacts of warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers is crucial for future prosperity, environmental quality, and health and wellbeing of communities.

Based on the Met Office's UK Climate Projections (UKCP) for the south east, by 2080

  • summers are likely to be hotter by around 5°C to 6°C
  • winters are likely to be warmer by around 3°C to 4°C
  • summer rainfall is likely to decrease by 30% to 50%
  • winter rainfall is likely to increase by 20% to 30%
  • sea level rise is likely to increase by 0.8m.

The impacts of climate change are likely to be felt acutely in Kent with its long, strategically important coastline, large number of properties at risk of flooding and warm summers compared with the rest of the United Kingdom. It is imperative that the impacts of climate change are considered alongside other drivers of change including economic fluctuations, population growth and demographic shifts.

The CCRIA is intended to inform policy and decision-makers of the key climate risks that will have the greatest impact on Kent’s society, economy and environment, within the context of other future socio-economic drivers, providing the evidence for future planning.

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Sector infographics