Heat Ready London: Mayor Khan’s plan to combat extreme temperatures

As London faces another scorching heatwave, Mayor Sadiq Khan introduces a comprehensive plan to safeguard the city's future.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has launched an ambitious initiative to tackle the city’s growing vulnerability to extreme heat. As temperatures soared to a record 35.1°C on Wednesday, the capital is experiencing the realities of climate change firsthand.

The new Heat Ready London strategy aims to protect residents, infrastructure, and services from the escalating threat of heatwaves.

With projections indicating a significant increase in extreme heat events over the next two decades, the plan outlines a series of measures to enhance the city’s resilience.

From upgrading infrastructure to expanding access to cooling spaces, the strategy represents a proactive approach to safeguarding London’s future.

The scale of the challenge

City Hall analysis reveals that approximately one million homes1,361 schools60 hospitals and 351 care homes are at risk of overheating.

The urban heat island effect exacerbated by high levels of dark surfaces, contributes to London’s status as the UK’s hottest location during heatwaves.

The economic impact is also substantial, with the 2026 heatwaves costing the city an estimated £1.5 billion. Climate projections suggest that London’s GDP could decrease by up to 3% in the 2050s due to the changing climate. The pressure on health services, transport, education, and Emergency Services is expected to rise dramatically.

Key measures of the Heat Ready London strategy

The strategy focuses on several critical areas to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. One of the primary goals is to expand access to cooling spaces and public drinking water. This includes targeting upgrades to high-risk homes to reduce overheating and improve living conditions during heatwaves.

Increasing tree cover and green spaces is another key component. The plan emphasizes the importance of enhancing access to rivers and other blue spaces for cooling. These natural features provide essential relief during periods of extreme heat, contributing to the

Strengthening health services and making key infrastructure more resilient during extreme heat is also a priority. The strategy includes investments in cooling and ventilation systems, as well as adaptations to infrastructure and operational responses. These measures aim to ensure the safety and comfort of both customers and staff during heatwaves.

Transport for London’s role in heat resilience

Transport for London (TfL) is playing a crucial role in implementing the Heat Ready London strategy. Lilli Matson, Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer at TfL, highlighted the importance of preparing for extreme heat conditions and their real-world impact on the transport network.

TfL is collaborating with other agencies, including Network Rail and the Greater London Authority to develop a coordinated approach. This includes managing the adverse impact of higher temperatures on the network, from track and road surface resilience to customer comfort and staff safety. Investments in cooling and ventilation systems are part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen resilience.

Currently, there are 192 air-conditioned Tube trains out of 620 covering 40% of the network. The delay in introducing new air-conditioned trains has been attributed to the complexity of integrating new technology with aging infrastructure. Despite these challenges, TfL remains committed to enhancing the resilience of London’s transport system.

The Heat Ready London strategy represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges posed by extreme heat. By working together, the city can protect lives, strengthen resilience, and build a greener and fairer future for all Londoners.