HEARTH: National Hub on Net Zero, Health and Extreme Heat

Transformative action, at pace and scale, is required to deliver a net zero building stock in the UK by 2050. This will be enormously challenging and is made even more difficult within the context of a changing climate. In summer 2022, the UK experienced unprecedented 40°C temperatures and five heat periods, associated with 3,271 deaths in England and Wales. A future with more intense and frequent heatwaves, that often co-occur with other weather extremes, poses a severe threat to public health. By the mid-2030s, 90% of the UK's housing stock may be susceptible to overheating. Despite this, UK Building Regulations currently do not require buildings to address future overheating risks driven by a warming climate. While Net Zero measures such as improvements in building thermal performance can reduce heating demand, there is risk of summertime overheating if suitable adaptation measures are not incorporated. Vulnerable populations (e.g., persons with chronic conditions and disabilities, older people, pregnant women, preschool children) and those in insecure housing, confined environments or experiencing homelessness all face a heightened risk during hot spells. Challenge the project addresses The UK urgently needs to deliver vital climate, health and equity actions which affect homes of different tenures and multifunctional residential environments, including care settings, hospitals and prisons. The need for effective delivery that achieves net zero, maximises co-benefits and minimises unintended consequences for vulnerable communities in these settings is the overarching challenge that the Hub will address. Our hub is designed to address the 'Extreme weather' challenge area, interpreted here as heat extremes and co-occurring events (flooding, drought, wildfires, air quality).