The Government must do more to help local areas adapt to climate change, councils in England have warned.
A survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) of more than 300 councils in England found 93% identified lack of funding as a barrier to implementing climate adaptation.
Most identified the risk to people’s health from heatwaves as their greatest climate concern.
This was followed by damage to critical infrastructure and buildings, then widespread risks from power system failures.
More than a fifth of the councils said a lack of data was a barrier in addressing the climate impacts to communities and service delivery.
The LGA has called on the Government to enable councils to accelerate plans to adapt to changes in climate as part of its forthcoming National Adaptation Programme.
Cllr Linda Taylor, environment spokesperson for the LGA, said: 'The impacts of climate change are going to intensify into the future and councils are warning people and places will be left increasingly vulnerable without further preparation.
'Councils need support to prepare their communities for impacts of climate change now.
'The extreme heat we all experienced last summer is just one of many effects we expect to reoccur, the year before that we had significant flash flooding.
'Councils need the funding and resources to adequately reduce the risks to lives and livelihoods.
'As the leaders of local areas, councils are at the forefront of local climate action, they must be made able to protect their residents.'
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