Climate change “hazards” threaten 71% of National Trust properties, the charity has said in a new report where it claims to be already experiencing the consequences of more frequent extreme weather events – such as drought, heavy rain and wildfires – on its sites. The Telegraph has more.
The charity, which cares for 250,000 hectares of land, 780 miles of coastline and 220 gardens and parks, said approximately 71% of the places it looks after could be at medium or high risk of climate hazards by 2060.
It called on the Government to introduce new legislation to make climate change adaption a legal requirement for public bodies.
The trust said appointing a Minister for climate adaptation in the Cabinet Office or Treasury would also be “pivotal”.
Patrick Begg, outdoors and natural resources director at the trust, said climate change presented “the single biggest threat” to the charity’s mission.
He said: “It demands our urgent and unswerving attention, and we call on our partners and on governments across the U.K. to stand with us and to do more to confront the challenges we all face.
“Our responsibility spans hundreds of historic sites, buildings and some of the nation’s most-loved coastlines, rivers and countryside.”
Mr. Begg said the organisation, which last year welcomed 24 million visitors to its sites, did “not claim to have all the answers”.
He added: “But we do know that adapting to changing climate is essential if the trust is to live up to its founding purpose.”
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