Climate Report for Property Purchase
(Last Updated: 26/06/2023)
15/06/2023
33
5 min read
Key Takeaways
- This report provides two scenarios, medium emissions with 2.4C increase and high emissions with 4.3C global warming by the 2100's.
- This search is based on Representative Concentration Pathways from the Met Office.
- The Climate Risk Report costs £30 INC VAT** and its turnaround time is 24 hours*.
- This search is not mandatory but The Law Society is actively promoting its members to make homebuyers aware that this option is available, in order to make more fully informed property purchasing decisions.
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As we continue to miss global emission goals, many of us are becoming more concerned with the effects of climate change. While the environmental searches are based on historical data, this new report factors in predicted risks based on forecasted likelihood of extreme weather and flooding.
These reports are localised and are based on the most likely scenario being 'medium emissions' resulting in an increase to global temperatures of 2.4C by the 2100s.
What is a climate risk report?
The climate risk report is designed for purchasers of residential property, to help them understand the potential risks to the home now, compared to the 2050's based on 6 factors of climate change:
Soil Subsidence
Subsidence is the effect of shifting foundations, which weakens the structure of the building and in some cases causes collapse. Soil subsidence is usually caused by clay related shrinkage and swelling, peat shrinkage and sand washout. These will happen to varying degrees based on the level of rainfall, flash flooding and extreme temperatures. Large roots growing into the foundations can also damage the structural integrity of the building, but removing vegetation completely makes the ground less resilient to both dry and wet conditions, as well as losing shade giving leaves in the hotter months.
Coastal Erosion
Extreme weather and rising sea levels mean that cliffs in certain coastal areas are at risk of collapse. Certain areas have been identified within a projected 'coastal erosion exposure zone' based on predictions up until the 2080's. The report will identify whether the property falls within the exposure zone.
Extreme Wind Days
High winds and heavy storms can pose a serious threat to buildings. Winds can drive rain into the fabric of the building, which can cause decay over time. Extreme wind can lift the roof off of the building and twist or shear the frame from its foundations. If high winds break a door or window, or hurl an object which pierces the building, the risk of structural failure greatly increases.
Riverine Flooding
Riverine (fluvial) flooding affects properties near bodies of water, which may overflow due to heavy rainfall, insufficient or failing flood defences, or displacement of water due to the water body becoming obstructed. This can happen when high levels of sand or soil fill the riverbed after heavy rain, or larger debris blocks the flow of water.
Surface Water Flooding
Surface water (pluvial) flooding occurs when rainwater pools on the surface of the land, due to heavy rainfall and insufficient drainage infrastructure. Drier ground deflects water where it can run off, rather than absorbing it, so extreme dry and wet weather will cause heavy rainfall to flood lower lying areas.
Coastal Flooding
Rising sea levels and harsher storms mean that certain coastal areas are at greater risk of flooding. These areas have been identified within a projected 'coastal flooding exposure zone' based on predictions up until the 2080's. The report will identify whether the property falls within the exposure zone.
The report rates the hazard exposure for each factor in 5 levels: No exposure, Very low, Low, Medium & High, for both the medium emissions scenario and the high emissions scenario. Some factors which can be more accurately predicted are scored for each decade from the present until the 2080's while others are scored for the present, the 30's, 50's and 70's
How do you do a climate risk assessment?
Order using our easy online form and receive your report within 2 hours*. You'll receive detailed localised predictions of climate hazards based on medium emission levels and high emission levels. Simple as that.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by:
Caragh Bailey
Caragh is an excellent writer and copy editor of books, news articles and editorials. She has written extensively for SAM for a variety of conveyancing, survey, property law and mortgage-related articles.
Reviewed by:
Andrew Boast
Andrew started his career in 2000 working within conveyancing solicitor firms and grew hands-on knowledge of a wide variety of conveyancing challenges and solutions. After helping in excess of 50,000 clients in his career, he uses all this experience within his article writing for SAM, mainstream media and his self published book How to Buy a House Without Killing Anyone.
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