Identifying the impacts of climate change on the Department for Work and Pensions — case study

Task

The Met Office was asked to identify the potential impacts of climate change on the work carried out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

How we helped

We used our expert knowledge in the field of climate change and its impacts, to advise DWP on the potential effects on their work.

Our study included:

identifying the areas that climate change would most likely affect, including services, staff and external suppliers;
analysing their current sensitivity to weather and climate;
identifying the main changes in the climate that would impact on the DWP;
recommending DWP policy or services that required high priority action.

For example, grants are given to vulnerable people to help with heating costs during particularly cold weather. In the future, hot weather payments may also become necessary to contribute towards air-conditioning. The policy makers and financial planners need to take these potential changes into consideration now.

The benefits

Our study provided the DWP with a clear understanding of how climate change may affect its work and should give the department greater confidence in planning for the future with regard to changes in the climate. Our recommendations provided direction and highlighted areas where the department should focus its attention.