World Environment Day: How Climate Change Is Making Water Extremes More Frequent
At Ashfield Solutions, we’re marking World Environment Day 2026 on Friday 5th June, a global awareness day observed across England, Wales and more than 150 countries worldwide. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme, the 2026 theme focuses on climate change and climate action under the hashtag #NowForClimate.
While the day often highlights environmental protection and community action, it also reflects a growing issue in the UK: climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of water extremes, particularly flooding.
In England and Wales, flooding is no longer viewed as an occasional event. It is now a persistent and evolving climate risk. As a result, flood management is shifting towards a layered resilience approach that combines traditional defences, natural solutions, planning controls, and property-level protection.
At Ashfield Solutions, we see this change every day in our flood risk and resilience work. The focus is no longer just on prevention, but on adaptation and recovery in a changing climate.
Climate Change and Increasing Flood Risk
Climate projections for the UK consistently show wetter winters, more intense rainfall, and a higher likelihood of surface water flooding. This is particularly significant in urban areas where drainage systems and impermeable surfaces increase runoff.
Surface water flooding is now one of the most widespread flood risks across England and Wales, and it is increasingly affecting locations outside traditional river floodplains.
Policy is beginning to reflect this shift. In Wales, recent updates to TAN15 place stronger emphasis on future flood risk modelling rather than historic events alone. In England, planning policy continues to evolve to better reflect long-term climate projections.
Investment in Traditional Flood Defences
Significant investment continues to be made in engineered flood protection.
In England, around £5.2 billion is being invested between 2021 and 2027 to deliver and maintain flood and coastal defence schemes. These include flood walls, embankments, river management works and upgrades to existing infrastructure, designed to better protect homes and communities.
In Wales, more than £377 million has been committed through current flood risk management programmes, supporting coastal defence schemes, river flood alleviation projects and local authority resilience work.
These defences remain essential, particularly for protecting densely populated areas, but they are increasingly part of a wider resilience strategy rather than a standalone solution.
Nature-Based Solutions and Managing Water at Catchment Scale
Alongside traditional defences, there is growing recognition of the role of natural systems in reducing flood risk.
Approaches such as wetland restoration, river re-meandering, peatland restoration, floodplain reconnection and tree planting in upper catchments are increasingly being used to slow the movement of water through landscapes.
These methods are supported by initiatives including the Nature for Climate Fund in England and Wales’ National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management.
The principle is straightforward: by holding water upstream for longer, peak flows downstream can be reduced, lowering flood risk in towns and cities.
Property Flood Resilience and Adapting Buildings
At Ashfield Solutions, we are also seeing a major shift towards Property Flood Resilience (PFR) at the building level.
Rather than relying solely on external flood defences, PFR focuses on reducing damage to individual properties when flooding occurs. Measures typically include (but are not limited to) flood doors and barriers, non-return valves, raised electrical systems, waterproof internal finishes, airbrick protection and pump systems.
A key initiative supporting this approach is the Flood Re “Build Back Better” scheme, which provides funding of up to £10,000 for eligible households to incorporate resilience measures during repair after a flood event.
This reflects a wider policy shift across the UK: flooding may still occur, but the aim is to significantly reduce disruption, damage and recovery time.
Planning, Development and Future Risk
Planning policy is also adapting to reflect long-term climate risk.
Flood Risk Assessments are now a standard requirement for many developments, and there is increasing emphasis on steering new housing away from areas of highest flood risk. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are also becoming an essential part of new development design, helping manage surface water at source.
However, continued development in some flood-prone areas highlights the importance of robust assessment and long-term risk modelling in the planning process.
Improved Data, Forecasting and Preparedness
The UK now benefits from significantly improved flood modelling and forecasting tools.
National flood risk mapping increasingly incorporates future climate change scenarios, providing a clearer understanding of long-term exposure. Real-time monitoring and improved forecasting also allow earlier warnings and more effective emergency response.
For planners, insurers and property owners, this shift towards predictive risk modelling is essential in supporting informed decision-making.
Supporting Resilience in a Changing Climate
At Ashfield Solutions, we support clients across England and Wales in understanding and managing flood risk in a changing climate. With decades of combined experience, we provide Flood Risk Assessments, sustainable drainage strategies and property-level mitigation advice, delivering clear, evidence-based insight into both current and future flood risk.
Our Flood Mitigation Surveys are completed in line with the CIRIA Code of Practice for Property Flood Resilience (C790), ensuring all recommendations reflect current industry standards and best practice.
By considering both present-day conditions and future climate projections, we help clients make informed decisions that strengthen long-term resilience.
If you would like to understand your flood risk or explore practical resilience measures for your property or development, contact Ashfield Solutions to speak with our specialist team.
