There is international, national and local evidence of the health impacts we might see in Wakefield due to climate and the local environment. For an overview nationally the UK Health Security Agency report on the Health Effects of Climate Change (HECC) gives an in-depth summary at a national level [2]. The different factors that come together to influence how climate impacts health are: exposure, vulnerability and hazard.

Depending on the climate type different people or areas of the District may have different risks of higher exposure which might be, for example, those who work in manual occupations outside for heat effects or who live near a river prone to flooding. Those who are most vulnerable in Wakefield will be due to factors such as age or pre-existing medical conditions. Hazards from different types of climate will have different risks to health.
There are different solutions to some of the impacts of climate on health and some will have co-benefits for health in the Wakefield District. A section is available on heat and health. The graphic below gives some examples of climate types and themes that are relevant:

Over the last two decades we know the average annual temperature across the world has been increasing, this is also seen in Wakefield. The Met Office UK Climate Projections 2018 (UKCP18) can be used to model future climate changes for Wakefield and are available through their Local Authority Climate Explorer [3]. The page produces a report giving an introduction to how climate change forecasts are developed and which levels of global warming are decided upon for further exploration, it also gives an in-depth picture of temperature changes in Wakefield. There are a number of other mapping, climate indicator and visualisation tools available including the UK Climate Risk Indicator Explorer [4] and Show Your Stripes which visualises average temperatures over time [5].

Independent guidance, adopted by the UK government for the Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) and 3rd National Adaptation Plan (NAP3) [1], is to prepare for a 2°C rise in global temperature, whilst assessing the risks for 4°C.The table below gives the UKCP18 estimates for Wakefield for selected climate changes of different magnitude. The timing of when a specific level of global warming is reached depends on future global emissions and how sensitive the climate is. For example, 4°C of warming could happen by the end of the century under a high impact scenario, but this is unlikely. However, the further into the future we look, the more uncertain predictions become.

For Wakefield it is predicted average summer temperature could increase by 2°C under a 2°C rise in global temperature with maximum summer temperature possibly increasing by 3°C with the average number of hot summer days (over 25°C) per year increasing from 2 to 3 and the number of warm summer days (over 20°C) increasing from 18 to 26. Precipitation (rain, snow and sleet) levels will also change decreasing by 7% in the Summer and increasing by 6% in the Summer. Looking at a more extreme rise of 4°C the changes in Wakefield's climate would be greater.

Increases in greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere are a leading cause of climate change, the main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is mainly produced through the burning of fossil fuels at power stations for producing power for businesses and homes and the other source is powering vehicles such as cars, trucks and aeroplanes. Other greenhouse gases are also produced in other ways including deforestation, agriculture and landfill sites [6]. Greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun in the atmosphere, as production has increased over the last century it has caused a pattern of climate change across the world, leading to higher temperatures and more extreme weather events such as flooding.

There are two main ways to think of the changes that are needed [7], different changes may be at international, national or local levels:

• Mitigation - Reducing the production of the types of emissions that cause climate change, this needs to be at a global, national and local level.
• Adaptation - Making changes in Wakefield to our local environment that mean we are less affected by the impacts of climate change that are happening now and in the future.

These changes need to be made fairly and equitably across the District to reduce inequalities and to protect groups who are more sensitive to the effects of climate change.

Wakefield Council declared a climate emergency on the 23rd of May 2019, since then work has taken place across Wakefield including the creation of an action plan for how we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a population and local authority.

Some ways to reduce emissions in Wakefield suggested in the plan include:

• Transitioning to the use of green energy such as solar and wind.
• Reducing energy consumption through more efficient housing.
• Improving energy efficiency and moving to greener approaches across industry, manufacturing of goods and food production.
• Increasing the use of transport methods that produce less greenhouse gases such as active travel, green public transport and electric cars.
• Using the reuse, reduce, recycle pathway where possible.

More information can be found on the Wakefield Council climate change page [8].

The Council’s commitment to tackling climate change is reflected in it being chosen as one of the six ambitions in the 2025-2035 Wakefield District plan with an ambition to tackle climate change together with an aim that by by 2035, we will reduce the district’s carbon footprint on the journey to net zero, improve public health and help our residents and businesses adapt to a changing climate. We will ensure that the impacts of climate change are addressed in a fair, just and inclusive manner [9]. The four outcomes related to the ambition are:

• Renewable energy powers homes, industry and innovation.
• Emissions from travel are reduced.
• There is greater resilience to the impacts of climate change.
• The District has a thriving natural environment.

Further information on climate statistics for Wakefield can also be found in Chapter 9 of the 2024 State of the District report [10].
Alongside reducing carbon emissions increases in biodiversity and green spaces such as nature reserves and parks can absorb some of the additional greenhouse gases produced. Across Wakefield new green spaces are being created and a tree planting scheme is currently underway.

Adaptations will vary depending on the type of climate effects.

As well as reducing the effects of climate several mitigation and adaptation actions will also lead to a healthier living environment for everyone in Wakefield. These include:

• Reductions in air pollution from moving to electric vehicles and increasing active travel will improve respiratory health.
• Increased physical activity from more active travel will reduce obesity rate and improve cardiovascular health.
• Improved access to healthy food choices through changes to food production will reduce obesity and improve overall health.
• Increasing areas of green spaces leading to better public access will lead to better mental health and well-being.

The dashboard below gives some information for Wakefield including greenhouse gas emissions, fuel poverty, electric vehicles, air pollution mortality and recycling. It also presents small area carbon footprint estimates using data from Carbon and Place, an initiative lead by the University of Leeds [11]. Key findings from the dashboard show:

• In 2023 Wakefield was producing 4.5 tons of carbon dioxide per capita, the main sources were transport (41%), domestic use (24%) and industry (21%). Total CO2 emissions for the District have reduced by 27% since 2014.
• Between Quarter 1 of 2023 and quarter 3 of 2025 the number of public electric vehicle chargers per 100,000 population in Wakefield has doubled but is still half the England rate.
• 13.7% of households in Wakefield (2023) live in fuel poverty.
• 5.4% of mortality in Wakefield (2024) is attributed to air pollution.
• A national survey of school children in 2024 found 60.2% of school pupils in Wakefield had participated in active travel in the previous week.
• Nearly 40% of household waste energy is recovered in Wakefield in 2024.
• The carbon footprint of individual areas varies across Wakefield

There is public support for climate action, this has been seen internationally with large scale studies finding that across the world people in different countries are supportive with 86% of the global population endorsing pro-climate social norms and 89% demanding intensified political action, the study included the United Kingdom where 86% endorsed pro-climate norms and 83% demanding intensified political action [12].
Local events including a Citizen Visioning workshop and the annual Global Climate Change Summit brought together people from across Wakefield to discuss issues locally and health was one of the themes raised at both events.
In the 2024 School Health Survey 15% of pupils worried about climate change a lot or quite a lot [13], Year 12 students aged 16-17 years old were also asked more in-depth questions about climate change, 58% agreed it was a very serious problem and 41% were worried about its effects. An international study of climate anxiety in children and young people asked a sample of 16-25 years olds in the UK with 49% saying they were extremely or very worried about climate change [14].
A 2023 national survey found that 82% of people expected the UK to be affected by health risks from heat waves and other unpredictable weather and 76% are worried about how those health risks will affect them personally [15].
Climate change can impact mental health directly through people experiencing traumatic events such as flooding and other natural disasters [16] and indirectly due to anxiety people can feel due to the wider environmental harm affecting the planet as a whole [17]. The Mental Health Foundation has raised that though climate anxiety can have a negative effect, positive action and efforts to mitigate climate change have a positive impact on wellbeing and mental health [18].

1. UK Government, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (2022) UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2022
2. Centre for Climate and Health Security and UK Health Security Agency (2024) Health Effects of Climate Change (HECC) report
3. The Met Office (2024) Local authority climate explorer filtered to Wakefield
4. University of Reading (2023) Climate Risk Indicator Explorer
5. Hawkins, E (2024) Show Your Stripes (United Kingdom)
6. United Nations (2025) Causes and Effects of Climate Change
7. House of Commons Library (2025) Climate change adaptation and resilience in the UK
8. Wakefield Council (2023) Climate Change
9. Wakefield Together (2025) Wakefield District Plan 2025-2035
10. Wakefield Council (2024) State of the District report
11. Morgan, M, Anable, J, & Lucas, K. (2021) A place-based carbon calculator for England. Presented at the 29th Annual GIS Research UK Conference (GISRUK), Cardiff, Wales, UK (Online). Link to the website: Carbon & Place — Neighbourhood Carbon Mapping & Tools
12. Andre, P., Boneva, T., Chopra, F. et al. (2024) Globally representative evidence on the actual and perceived support for climate action. Nat. Clim. Chang. 14, 253–259.
13. Wakefield JSNA (2024) Wakefield School Health Survey
14. Hickman, C et al. (2021) Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey. The Lancet Planetary Health, Volume 5, Issue 12, e863 - e873
15. Powell-Chandler D, Taylor A (2023) Making Climate Adaptation Matter
16. French, CE et al (2019) Impact of repeat flooding on mental health and health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional analysis of the English National Study of Flooding and Health. BMJ Open;9:e031562
17. UK Health Security Agency (2025) Climate change and mental health report
18. Mental Health Foundation (2025) Climate change and mental health: our policy perspective

Wakefield Council Climate webpage

The Wakefield Council Climate page gives information on the Council’s climate action plan and wider resources and new about Climate related initiatives in Wakefield: Learn about the Wakefield District's 2030 carbon neutral pledge, other climate change initiatives, and how you sign up to their monthly newsletter. Link: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/environment-and-climate-change/climate-change/

Wakefield Together District Plan 2025-2035

The recently launched District plan sets out a vision of building a stronger Wakefield, and this is based on six ambitions, one of which is tackling climate change together. Link: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/media/ld5pzcn5/wakefield-district-plan-2025-2035.pdf

Yorkshire and Humber Climate commission

The Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission is an independent advisory body that brings together a wide range of people from the public, private and third sectors to support, facilitate and enable the delivery of ambitious climate action across Yorkshire and the Humber. Their four aims are:

• Rapid emissions reduction
• Climate adaptation and resilience
• Nature restoration
• A just transition

Their climate action plan was published in 2024. Link: https://yorksandhumberclimate.org.uk/

UK Government Climate Change Risk Assessment

The UK Government is required, under the 2008 Climate Change Act, to publish a Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) every five years which is published on the Government website. The assessment sets out the risks and opportunities facing the UK from climate change.
The UK Government’s most recent assessment, the third CCRA (known as CCRA3) can be found at this link and includes several areas relating to health. Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-climate-change-risk-assessment-2022

The Climate Change Committee’s independent advice report

The Climate Change Committee’s independent advice report (https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/independent-assessment-of-uk-climate-risk/), informed the UK Government’s third CCRA (known as CCRA3): . There is a separate website that hosts all of the outputs for UK Climate Risk Independent Assessments, including those being developed for the 4th assessment (https://www.ukclimaterisk.org/). This includes technical reports, research projects and summaries of the advice. The sections most relevant to health include:

• Chapter 5 of the technical report which covers Health, Communities and the Built Environment. Link: https://www.ukclimaterisk.org/publications/technical-report-ccra3-ia/chapter-5/
• A briefing specific to the health and social care sector. Link: https://www.ukclimaterisk.org/publications/health-and-social-care-sector-briefing/

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Health Effects of Climate Change (HECC) report

The 2023 HECC report contains chapters about the health effects, both direct and indirect, of the main hazards posed by the UK’s changing climate, including heatwaves, flooding and drought. Each chapter details the health impact of a different hazard on the population. The report also details how the direct impacts of climate change can lead to further, indirect impacts such as malnutrition, mental health impacts and infectious disease spread. The report also describes how impacts of climate change hazards can interact with vulnerabilities in the population, including age, socioeconomic status and ethnicity. This means that the health effects of climate change are not felt equally between different populations. Link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/health-effects-of-climate-change-hecc-report

NHS Climate Adaptation Report

The 4th Health and climate adaptation report, produced by NHS England and UKHSA, builds on the previous rounds of reporting and supports the NHS in continuing to deliver a climate-smart, resilient health service. Link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/4th-health-and-climate-adaptation-report/

The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change

Published annually, the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change is an international, multidisciplinary collaboration, providing an independent assessment of the delivery of commitments made by governments worldwide under the Paris Agreement, by monitoring key indicators across health and climate change. Link: https://www.thelancet.com/countdown-health-climate

World Health Organization (WHO) – Climate Change

Resources relating to the international impacts of climate change on global health, related news stories and publications including fact sheets. Link: https://www.who.int/health-topics/climate-change

2025 Climate Action Scorecards for UK Councils

Climate Emergency UK assessed all UK councils on the actions they’ve taken towards net zero. The 2025 Action Scorecard assessment consists of 93 questions or less, depending on council type, across 7 different sections, created in consultation with over 90 different organisations and individuals. Link: https://councilclimatescorecards.uk/

Local Government Association Climate Change resources hub

Across England and Wales, councils are taking urgent action in their local areas with partners and their local communities to combat the negative impacts of climate change and to deliver net zero carbon by 2050. The aim of this hub is to help councils to reach their local carbon reduction targets by adapting and mitigating the effects of climate change. The hub brings together an overview of resources including publications, notable practice, blogs and tools. Link: https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/sustainability-hub/climate-change-resources

Met Office Local Authority Climate Service

This site provides tools and resources that have been specifically designed for Local Authorities to help you better understand climate change in your local area and support your adaptation journey. This information may be useful for others, not just Local Authorities. It is free and available for all: https://climatedataportal.metoffice.gov.uk/pages/lacs. It includes a local authority climate explorer to explore how your local area will be impacted by climate change and to visualise changes in key local climate metrics (https://themetoffice.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/506ff7d53c884badb0d8fd36d6280a91).

Climate Just

Climate Just is a free webtool for public service providers designed to:

• Identify who is vulnerable to climate change and fuel poverty and why
• Highlight neighbourhoods where climate disadvantage is highest
• Explain the factors involved and help you decide what actions to take

It includes a mapping tool to explore risk across local areas and provides a number of resources across many areas related to climate. Link: https://climatejust.org.uk/.

Local Climate Adaptation Tool: LCAT

The Local Climate Adaptation Tool (LCAT) is a national evidence-based resource to support local decision-makers, including public sector institutions to take climate adaptation action. The tool has been co-designed with over 50 local authority areas and provides data and evidence to help local areas understand the current and future climate, likely risks and impacts and adaptations needed. As well as highlighting impacts across sectors, it uses health as a lens to highlight the health impacts on communities. LCAT is a project between the University of Exeter and Cornwall Council, currently funded by Horizon Europe BlueAdapt project. Link: https://lcat.uk/