DfT publishes climate adaptation strategy for transport

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published its new Climate Adaptation Strategy for Transport, setting out how the UK’s transport infrastructure network – roads, rail, ports, airports and freight systems – should prepare for increasing climate risks such as flooding, heatwaves, storms and sea‑level rise. The strategy outlines actions to strengthen resilience and reduce disruption to people and goods across the country.

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The strategy defines a vision for a climate‑resilient transport system that continues to operate reliably in the face of changing weather patterns, emphasising the importance of adaptation alongside ongoing decarbonisation efforts. It responds to evidence showing that extreme weather events are already damaging infrastructure, disrupting services and imposing economic costs – including rail tracks buckling during heatwaves and roads being washed out by heavy rainfall.

Among the strategy’s key actions, the DfT says it will implement climate resilience standards by 2030, work with partners to develop guidance on climate impact pathways, and co‑fund research to strengthen the evidence base for adaptation measures. It also highlights practical sector commitments, including long‑term adaptation planning for rail networks and expanded resilience work under the third Road Investment Strategy.

The strategy underscores the scale of the challenge: the government cites data showing that as of 2024, 38% of roads and 37% of railways in England are at risk of flooding, with projections rising to 46% for roads and 54% for rail by 2050 under current climate trends. Early investment, the document reports, can deliver significant economic benefits – with some studies suggesting returns of up to £2–£10 for every £1 invested in adaptation.

The strategy also warns of the risks of not responding effectively. Without adaptation action, transport operators and infrastructure owners face growing repair costs, lost revenue and greater disruption to services. The DfT says weather‑related incidents have already cost operators heavily in recent years, including over £1bn paid by rail operators due to compensation claims linked to extreme weather in the past decade.

Transport planners and infrastructure managers will now be expected to embed climate risk assessment and adaptation planning into investment decisions and operational processes. The strategy highlights the need for better data, cross‑sector collaboration and a systems‑based approach to address interdependencies – for example, between transport networks and energy, water or digital systems.

The DfT’s adaptation strategy forms part of the broader third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) and will inform subsequent policy cycles which are expected to include more specific measurable objectives for transport resilience.

The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) welcomed the strategy’s focus on resilience but called for faster action and clearer funding commitments.