Climate change impacts on mental health in the UK: Current evidence and opportunities for intervention

Climate change is projected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events in the UK, including heatwaves, flooding, and drought under all climate change scenarios. In 2023, the UK experienced its second-warmest year on record, with precipitation levels at 113% of the 1991-2020 average. There is widespread awareness of the strong evidence that climate change negatively impacts physical health. Physical and mental health are closely linked, with significant comorbidities between the two. Increasing evidence indicates that climate change poses a serious threat to public mental health, which is largely missing from policy responses.

The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of mental well-being that enables individuals to learn and work well, contribute to their community, and be able to cope with the stresses of life.5 Mental health conditions can include anxiety, depression, phobias, panic disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) leading to impairments in daily functioning.