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UK Climate Projections for the 21st Century

19 June 2009

The UK Climate Projections have been created to help the UK to plan for a changing climate. The Projections, published on 18 June, contain information on observed and future climate change which are based on the latest scientific understanding. 

The UK Climate Projections (UKCP09) provide climate information for the UK up to the end of the 21st century. The latest report on the possible future climate changes wlll be useful to anyone with responsibility for forward and contingency planning in the private, public and voluntary sectors.

The Projections show three different scenarios representing high, medium and low greenhouse gas scenarios - demonstrating the importance of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.

The types of climate information provided are:

• observed climate data (20th and 21st century historical information about temperature, precipitation, storminess, sea surface temperatures and sea level)
• future climate projections (for temperature, precipitation, air pressure, cloud and humidity)
• future marine and coastal projections (for sea level rise, storm surge, sea surface and sub-surface temperature, salinity, currents, and waves).

In addition to the Projections, an ‘Adaptation Wizard’ is available which aims to help organizations with climate change planning. This tool takes users through a 5-step process that will help assess vulnerabilities to current climate and future climate change, identify options to address key climate risks, and assist with the development of a climate change adaptation strategy.