London’s risk from rising temperatures

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Discussion | Coping with hot weather in London

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The summer of 2022 saw temperatures above 40°C, the highest ever recorded in England. Climate change could bring hotter, drier summers in London, with longer, more intense heatwaves.

City Hall’s Climate Adaptation team wants to hear your experience to help inform London’s first Heat Risk Delivery Plan. 

Join the conversation 

 Thinking back to the heatwave of 2022: 

  • How did you cope with the heat in London?  
  • What helped you stay cool at home or while you were out and about? 
  • What made it better, and what made it worse?  

Thinking of this summer:  

  • What, if anything, are you doing differently to cope with the heat in London? 
  • What, if anything, does London need to help you cope with the heat? 

Please share as much detail as you can. Eleanor and Annette from City Hall’s Climate Adaptation team will be reading your comments and joining in.  

About the action plan

The London Heat Risk Delivery Plan will set out the roles and responsibilities our city needs to manage heat risk. The recommendation for this action plan came out of last year’s London Climate Resilience Review.  

Between March and September 2025, Londoners and stakeholders are invited to help inform the action plan. Read more on our background page.

 

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Comments (295)

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Great to see so many comments about living with extreme heat in London. Thanks for taking the time to add your comments. This is much appreciated to inform what more London needs to do to manage extreme heat in today's changing climate.

Avatar for - Sea turtle

More public places should start installing AC, especially in trains and buses. 

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More public places should start installing AC, especially in trains and buses. 

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Avatar for - Vaquita

I would add shadows on the streets with trees or with cotton cloth or even with crocheted clothes as used in other countries.

Also it is very important to refresh floors and buildings.

Spread the word in how to manage keeping lower...

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I would add shadows on the streets with trees or with cotton cloth or even with crocheted clothes as used in other countries.

Also it is very important to refresh floors and buildings.

Spread the word in how to manage keeping lower temperatures at homes without air conditioning (as using shadows or creating air flow)

The population should be trained in how to  hydrate and eat during hot weather and also how to prevent risks with elders and babies.

Change shifts to all workers with physical exercise or working outside of buildings with air conditioning, so they can do their work without risking their health.

 

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Avatar for - Koala

There are may countries inthe World with high  temperatures, no need to reinven  the wheel.  first we need AC on all public transport. Then we need more trees/shades and pedestrian only areas. Build  buildings  with proper outside windows...

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There are may countries inthe World with high  temperatures, no need to reinven  the wheel.  first we need AC on all public transport. Then we need more trees/shades and pedestrian only areas. Build  buildings  with proper outside windows blinds  like the ones in Spain and other European countries. Public swimming pools  in mayor parks.

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Avatar for - Sumatran elephant

More trees everywhere! No big squares without trees (granary square).

Spaces by the river covered with trees. Basically outdoor spaces with shade where people can stay FOR FREE. More ponds and lakes

Avatar for -

we need a bold vision for reducing heat. One thing I observe in Spain is the planting of tree canopies in the centre of wide roads. These create shade below and pockets of green and relative cool. Valencia has embraced cycle and scooter...

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we need a bold vision for reducing heat. One thing I observe in Spain is the planting of tree canopies in the centre of wide roads. These create shade below and pockets of green and relative cool. Valencia has embraced cycle and scooter paths - even in narrow streets - by restricting parking to one side of the road and increasing use of one way streets to reduce log jams. We need bold action in London. Its not enough to ‘tell’ people to change their transport means we must make it easiest to take alt methods.

 

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Avatar for - Adelie penguin

For goodness sake just make it easier to install air conditioning. Enable people to get two way air source heat pumps. The only thing that can deal with the extreme heat is AIR CONDITIONING. It is not any worse for the environment than...

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For goodness sake just make it easier to install air conditioning. Enable people to get two way air source heat pumps. The only thing that can deal with the extreme heat is AIR CONDITIONING. It is not any worse for the environment than heating, in fact I think it's better. And certainly if you use a two way heat pump.

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Avatar for - Koala

Wrong. The best way to cause extreme heat is to add more air conditioning. Walk, ride bikes, plant trees, tax the wealthy, make more swimming pools and make them affordable. Stop driving your cars around for no reason.

Avatar for - Colombian spotted frog

We need to do a lot more to cool down public transport - buses and underground tube lines are absolutely impossible, have felt faint so so many times when it’s hot

Avatar for - Colombian spotted frog

Support for external shutters would make a big difference. And PLANT LOTS MORE TREES, they are proven to make a huge difference <3

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Support for external shutters would make a big difference. And PLANT LOTS MORE TREES, they are proven to make a huge difference <3

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Some combination of heat pumps with air conditioning or tarditional air conditioning in new builds, I live in a new build and its unbearable even on days that aren't record breaking heat waves and there is not a single thing built into this...

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Some combination of heat pumps with air conditioning or tarditional air conditioning in new builds, I live in a new build and its unbearable even on days that aren't record breaking heat waves and there is not a single thing built into this flat to mitigate heat or move air through it beyond opening windows or sitting in the dark which doesn't help

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Avatar for - Sea turtle

I really struggled. It had a huge impact on my physical and mental health due to being so hot all the time and the lack of sleep due to the heat. 
I bought a small air conditioning fan unit which you could add ice to which helped cool the...

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I really struggled. It had a huge impact on my physical and mental health due to being so hot all the time and the lack of sleep due to the heat. 
I bought a small air conditioning fan unit which you could add ice to which helped cool the room a little but was very expensive to run.


I went into the office every weekday to benefit from the air conditioning there and was lucky enough at the time to live 40 minute walking distance to work so didn’t have to use public transport.


On weekends and evenings I tried to spend as much time out of my flat as possible either in local parks or in pubs or museums - anywhere cooler or with air conditioning. I have since invested in a larger airconditioning unit to help with the warm weather since. 

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Avatar for - Sumatran elephant

Scrap the ban on air conditioning in new build housing. It's ridiculous and hurts people. You cannot design a house to passively stay at a comfortable temperature for sleeping (no warmer than 21 °C when it's been 35 °C outside for the past...

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Scrap the ban on air conditioning in new build housing. It's ridiculous and hurts people. You cannot design a house to passively stay at a comfortable temperature for sleeping (no warmer than 21 °C when it's been 35 °C outside for the past two weeks, as we are increasingly seeing. 

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Avatar for - Colombian spotted frog

As someone said below - new build developments are heat traps, temperature inside the house is 5 degrees higher than outside, with no proper ventilations system, roof and walls absorbing all the heat. Development promised to build a small...

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As someone said below - new build developments are heat traps, temperature inside the house is 5 degrees higher than outside, with no proper ventilations system, roof and walls absorbing all the heat. Development promised to build a small green space next to our building, with trees planted but that never happened. Building is also located right next to the tube shaft, polluting the air and exhausting hot toxic fumes even more in the summer months. We are thus unable to keep our windows open.

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Avatar for - Colombian spotted frog

Why does the shortest distance between different area of London have to cross through central london? Can you build any like tunnel or road to bypass the heart area of London in shortest way? I We need to go to the destination fast as...

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Why does the shortest distance between different area of London have to cross through central london? Can you build any like tunnel or road to bypass the heart area of London in shortest way? I We need to go to the destination fast as possible, and not travelling in the city as a tourist. 

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Avatar for - Amur leopard

You need to allow shading on the outer side of windows and glazed doors, including in cosevation areas. 
Shading from the inside still allows sun rays to pass through the glass window panes and raise the temperature indoors, so it’s not a...

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You need to allow shading on the outer side of windows and glazed doors, including in cosevation areas. 
Shading from the inside still allows sun rays to pass through the glass window panes and raise the temperature indoors, so it’s not a sufficient remedy. 

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Avatar for - Adelie penguin

I’d like to see more tree planting in car parks - orchards would be nice!

Avatar for - Orangutan

We absolutely need to install air conditioning on the entirety of the London underground network. It's crazy that this public health emergency is allowed to happen.

Avatar for - Adelie penguin

I have epilepsy and have had to spend most the summer indoors with 3 fans pointed at me because heat triggers seizures for epileptics

Avatar for - Adelie penguin

It's not "how to deal with heatwaves" that concerns me but what we are doing. What we have. (The way.) I'm glad that there are still many places AC free in London as a reminder of how things used to be and work very well for us not a long...

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It's not "how to deal with heatwaves" that concerns me but what we are doing. What we have. (The way.) I'm glad that there are still many places AC free in London as a reminder of how things used to be and work very well for us not a long time ago. Besides, AC is a killer. Imagine it's super nice outside, British summer at its best (we are still SO LUCKY) and you have to "enjoy" 'lightly air conditioned" yoga and pilates spaces (they won't open the window, the trend is trendy and never mindful and the Elizabeth Line should operate Manhattan where these things are the norm: cold so cold). I'm even happy the Northern Line is AC free. I'm fortunate to be in England but what does that mean? I's a global life from childhood to death where you find the good and glorify it.

 

Thank you for reading.

 

No replies will be given.

 

Stay in sanity.

 

What are we doing to ourselves, who aren't our lives, in plural, but (no "one") singularity.

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Avatar for - Adelie penguin

People are having heatstrokes and fainting while youre virute signaling 

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People are having heatstrokes and fainting while youre virute signaling 

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Avatar for - Koala

I wish people would stop driving massive cars around London. Land rovers, BMWs etc. People are way to careful dependent in this city. 

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I wish people would stop driving massive cars around London. Land rovers, BMWs etc. People are way to careful dependent in this city. 

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Avatar for - Adelie penguin

Yeah because it's the capital city of the UK and people manage massively long commutes, it's impossible for this city to not have cars but honestly the planning is poor, cars and pedestrians should have much more separation 

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Yeah because it's the capital city of the UK and people manage massively long commutes, it's impossible for this city to not have cars but honestly the planning is poor, cars and pedestrians should have much more separation 

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Avatar for - Koala

Cars should not be allowed in Zone 1.  High streets should be made car free. There should be more days when cars aren't allowed on the roads. There should be more priority given to bicycles, buses and pedestrians. Our bodies evolved to move...

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Cars should not be allowed in Zone 1.  High streets should be made car free. There should be more days when cars aren't allowed on the roads. There should be more priority given to bicycles, buses and pedestrians. Our bodies evolved to move. You don't need 2000kg of metal to move your body a few miles. Dare to dream xtergo.

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Avatar for - Adelie penguin

You clearly don’t understand how London works. Zone 1 doesn’t exist in isolation, it’s the beating heart of a mega city and spans 50+ miles. Millions commute in daily from towns like Luton, Slough, Croydon, Reading, Watford, and Essex...

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You clearly don’t understand how London works. Zone 1 doesn’t exist in isolation, it’s the beating heart of a mega city and spans 50+ miles. Millions commute in daily from towns like Luton, Slough, Croydon, Reading, Watford, and Essex because London priced them out. You think they’re going to hop on a Brompton and pedal 40 miles to a kitchen porter shift?

Removing cars from Zone 1t creates a privilege fortress. You’re locking out plumbers, delivery drivers, disabled folks, and working-class people who rely on cars to bridge long, indirect, unreliable commutes. You’re turning the economic core of Britain into a gated museum for the childless, rich, and young.

Cities don’t run on bikes and buses. They run on logistics, white vans, tradesmen with tools, ambulances, taxi drivers pulling 12-hour shifts.

What scares me however is not that you're wrong but also where the government is headed, pedestrianisation is great but it should never happen in a way that makes working in this city a nightmare.

The real dream is a seamlessly connected megacity, like Tokyo or LA with fast arteries, reliable transit, and freedom to choose how you move. Your dream? It’s basically Paris: high taxes, housing crisis, riots, and choking the city for the sake of aesthetics giving no thought just because it sounds nice as an idea.

London’s already facing a productivity crisis. You think killing car access is going to fix that? You’re solving aesthetic grievances by destroying mobility, efficiency, and inclusion. That’s not visionary. That’s short-sighted urban decay wrapped in eco-virtue.

What scares me is not that you are wrong, but you have the right idea but the way you choose to implement it, has the opposite effect of what you mean. The government also, has no idea what it's talking about, British urban planning is some of the worst in the world.

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Avatar for - Staghorn coral

Hi, my comment is probably not related but wanted to tell my experience...

It's regarding Persistent Noise & Vibration from Haringey Café – No Action from Council

 

I would like to write here to seek your help regarding a serious and ongoing...

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Hi, my comment is probably not related but wanted to tell my experience...

It's regarding Persistent Noise & Vibration from Haringey Café – No Action from Council

 

I would like to write here to seek your help regarding a serious and ongoing noise and vibration problem I’ve been facing as a resident in Haringey.

A café next to my home has installed a loud fan unit on top of a thin dividing wall. The sound and vibration from this machine run continuously throughout the day, creating a low, disturbing hum and shaking that penetrates my living space.

This has been going on for weeks and weeks in summer even today during cool summer. It affects my health: I feel physically unwell, anxious, unable to rest or sleep properly, and deeply exhausted. In addition there are other noise neusances with the cafe I have been patient with...

I have reported the issue multiple times to Haringey Council, contacted my councillor, and even written to my MP – but no one has taken action.

I feel completely neglected. I am just one individual, but I am suffering every day in my own home.

I am reaching out in the hope that you might consider reporting on this case, or simply speaking with me to raise awareness about the real harm environmental noise can cause – and the lack of response from local authorities.

I can provide a noise diary, copies of my communications with the council and councillors. The owner can be hostile when last one of the councillors approached. I just do tied....

Thank you for your time reading my case.

 

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Avatar for - Staghorn coral

In addition, I have another very similar case with a noisy cooling fan with a resident in South London. Her council acted very quickly and removed the fan. But with Haringey council, I have been battling through noise neusances with the...

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In addition, I have another very similar case with a noisy cooling fan with a resident in South London. Her council acted very quickly and removed the fan. But with Haringey council, I have been battling through noise neusances with the cafe for more than 8 years and still it is ongoing despite my efforts. So this time I wrote my experience here hoping to change something....

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Avatar for -

Hi lJOnishi. Thank you for sharing your experience, that sounds frustrating. 

As City Hall can’t comment on individual cases, we recommend getting in touch with your local ward councillor or Citizens Advice if you haven’t already.

Best wishes

Talk London


Timeline

STAGE: Evidence gathering

Launch of the London Climate Resilience Review

Happened

London’s changing climate

Happened
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Londoners have responded 927 times

Find out more
STAGE: Programme launched

London Climate Resilience Review is published with a recommendation to create the London Heat Risk Delivery Plan

Happened
STAGE: You said, we did

Report on impacts of climate change published

Happened
Read our update
STAGE: Evidence gathering

London Heat Risk Delivery Plan programme launches

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STAGE: Evidence gathering

March-September 2025: Stakeholder engagement to help inform the London Heat Risk Delivery Plan (including here on Talk London)

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Shaping London's Heat Plan

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Londoners have responded 1123 times

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STAGE: Programme design

September 2025 - March 2026: Drafting of the London Heat Risk Delivery Plan

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STAGE: Programme launched

Spring 2026: Publication of the London Heat Risk Delivery Plan

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