London Drafts New Plan to Tackle Extreme Heat

In March 2026, London officials said they were drafting a new Heat Risk Delivery Plan to protect residents from extreme summer temperatures. Recent reports to the London Assembly showed that homes in the capital are already overheating more often, and that the city has become a strong urban heat island compared with nearby areas.

The draft plan includes creating more cool public spaces across the city, planting thousands of extra trees, and installing new water refill stations so people can get drinking water easily on hot days. City Hall is also looking at how new buildings can stay cooler by using shade, green roofs, and better design instead of relying only on air conditioning.

Public health teams are expected to send heat alerts when dangerous temperatures are forecast. These alerts will advise people to drink enough water, avoid heavy exercise in the middle of the day, and check on neighbours who may be at higher risk, such as older people or those living in small flats without good ventilation.

London’s plan is still being developed, but officials say it will work together with longer-term climate policies. Environmental groups welcome the focus on trees and cool spaces, but they also argue that the city must cut emissions from traffic and buildings if it wants to reduce future heat risks in a lasting way.