Why hotter summers are bad for the UK economy
New research by Dr Lotanna Emediegwu (Senior Lecturer in Economics at Manchester Metropolitan University), Jubril Animashaun (Manipal Academy of Higher Education) and Verónica Vienne Arancibia (University of Huddersfield) highlights the growing economic costs of hotter summers in the UK. The study finds that a 1°C rise in average summer temperatures reduces UK economic growth by around 2.4%.
While sunny weather can boost retail and leisure spending, prolonged heatwaves damage crops, strain health systems, disrupt transport and reduce productivity in offices, factories and farms. The south of England, home to much of the country’s farming and financial services, is especially vulnerable.
For place managers, the findings underline that climate change is not a distant risk but a present challenge. Hot summers already affect footfall, business continuity, housing and infrastructure. Town centres and local authorities will need to plan for shaded public realm, cooling hubs, resilient transport systems and workplace protections. BIDs and councils may also need to engage with local businesses on adaptation strategies.
UN-Habitat has identified place management as an approach that supports delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. Preparing for hotter summers is therefore both an environmental necessity and an economic imperative.
Read the full article on the Manchester Metropolitan University website https://www.mmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/story/why-hotter-summers-are-bad-uk-economy
About the author
Formed in 2006, the Institute of Place Management is the international professional body that supports people committed to developing, managing and making places better.