Environment & Climate
UK dropped planned wildfire adaptation scheme for England, records show
A 2023 climate adaptation plan was never enacted, according to The Guardian.
The short version
- A four-year wildfire risk programme announced in 2023 under Rishi Sunak's administration was quietly abandoned without being implemented.[The Guardian]
- Data obtained from 29 fire services revealed that more than half lacked specialised personal protective gear for fighting wildfires.[The Guardian]
- The Fire Brigades Union and politicians criticised the lapse following major blazes this summer, including one near a nuclear facility.[The Guardian]
- Ministers stated they are convening an emergency services summit to assess equipment needs and bolster wildfire preparedness.[The Guardian]
Key facts
- A wildfire risk programme scheduled to run from 2023 to 2027 under the third national climate adaptation programme was never brought into effect.[The Guardian]
- Over half of the 29 fire services that answered an information request lacked personal protective equipment specifically designed for wildfires.[The Guardian]
- Suffolk fire and rescue service responded to a major wildfire near the Sizewell B nuclear power station that destroyed protected nature reserve land.[The Guardian]
- The Fire Brigades Union is demanding dedicated wildfire protective equipment and training programmes for all frontline personnel.[The Guardian]
- The government announced a summit with fire services to improve resilience, citing previous funding of £100m for national resilience assets.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- Whether increased funding and land management resources would have mitigated the impact of summer wildfires remains disputed.[The Guardian]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Revealed: Government quietly dropped plan to prepare England for wildfiresThe Guardian - Environment