The Climate Change Committee (CCC) published its report A Well-Adapted UK on 20 May 2026, as part of the Fourth Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk advice to Government1. Waterwise, the independent water efficiency body, said the report identifies drought as one of the most significant climate hazards facing the UK and places water efficiency at the heart of a resilient future1.
The report states that without urgent action, water supply shortfalls could exceed five billion litres per day by 20501. By 2055, across the UK, there could be a 320 million litre annual average shortfall of private water supply for agriculture, industry and power, rising to 657 million litres as hotter, drier summers and more frequent droughts increase pressure on households, businesses, farming and nature1. The CCC says the UK should prepare for around 2°C of global warming by 2050 and plan for up to 4°C by 2100, and calls for resilience standards to be set now, including ensuring water supplies are resilient to a 1-in-500-year drought by 20401.
Key findings reported include that the UK's water and wastewater systems are not fit for the current, let alone future, climate; that droughts and extreme heat will become more frequent and intense; that heatwaves above 40°C could occur every few years; and that UK summers could become up to 50% drier in extreme scenarios1.
The report identifies water efficiency as one of the most cost-effective adaptation actions available and calls for urgent action on demand reduction and behaviour change, smart irrigation and water-efficient products, leakage reduction and smart metering, water reuse and recycling, reservoirs, water transfers and sustainable storage, and stronger standards for homes, buildings and appliances1. It highlights minimum water efficiency standards for appliances and buildings, alongside the upcoming mandatory water efficiency labelling scheme, and points to evidence from Australia and the United States where minimum standards have significantly reduced water demand1. It also calls for stronger powers for regulators to deliver adaptation action, including through the proposed new regulator for England and Wales1.
In the CCC's research, 81% of people said they felt the UK is not currently prepared for a 1-in-500-year drought scenario and 70% said urgent climate action is needed now1.
Baroness Brown, Chair of the Adaptation Committee, said: "Our lives, our landscapes and our homes are under increasing pressure from the changing climate. But we are not powerless. The solutions already exist, and proven technologies are available now to help the UK adapt effectively."1
Why it matters for households
The report sets out consequences for households across the UK, not one region. It says drought is among the most significant climate hazards, with shortfalls in public water supply possible without urgent action, and that poor drought preparedness is already restricting new housing1. It also warns of more frequent and intense droughts and extreme heat, with heatwaves above 40°C possible every few years and UK summers up to 50% drier in extreme scenarios1. The CCC's proposed standards cover homes, buildings and appliances, and a mandatory water efficiency labelling scheme is described as upcoming; no start date for either is given in the report as summarised1. The CCC calls for water supplies to be resilient to a 1-in-500-year drought by 2040 and for resilience standards to be set now1. The report's advice on stronger regulatory powers concerns the proposed new regulator for England and Wales1. The official government advice for households sets out where public emergency guidance in the UK comes from, and the UK preparedness hub covers wider household planning.
What happens next
The report is advice to Government as part of the Fourth Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk1. The CCC calls for resilience standards to be set now, including the 1-in-500-year drought standard by 2040, and for stronger powers for regulators including through the proposed new regulator for England and Wales1. Waterwise said it supports the opportunity to shape the mandate of future regulators in line with the report's findings and recommendations1. No Government response or timetable for the standards has been reported1.
