The impact of climate change
The world's climate has already warmed by 1.1 degrees centigrade since the start of the 20th century. Worldwide we are seeing the effects of this in terms of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, droughts, intense storms and prolonged rainfall.
While events such as these have happened in the past, climate change is a ‘threat multiplier’ that increases risks. This means that extreme weather events that are considered possible but unusual by today’s standards will occur more frequently and to a greater intensity in the future.
What we’re doing
We have developed a climate change adaptation plan which outlines the main climate-related risks that we face and how we are adapting to them. Details are provided in our latest Climate Change Adaptation Report.
To adapt, we are:
- reducing leakage across our network to help ensure a sustainable water supply to meet future demand
- establishing the West Country Water Resources Group with neighbouring water companies to manage future supply and ensure resilience
- reducing the infiltration of groundwater into sewers and working with local councils on surface water management
- raising electrical equipment positions at low-lying sites to ensure we can continue delivering our services when flooding occurs
- collaborating with other agencies that are affected by extreme weather events.
We are experienced at coping with acute weather-related impacts, and we build them into our planning activities and risk assessments. This will help to continue providing excellent services, even as extreme weather events occur more frequently as the impacts of climate change intensify.