Independent assessment

The Climate Change Committee published the Fourth Independent Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA4-IA) in May 2026.

CCRA4-IA seeks to inform the next round of National Adaptation Programmes across the nations of the UK, which will cover the late 2020s and early 2030s.

The latest independent advice from the CCC on the UK’s Fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA4-IA) includes the Committee’s report on A Well-Adapted UK (available on the CCC website), the CCRA4-IA Technical Report, and multiple supporting research projects.

The CCRA4-IA Technical Report synthesises the latest evidence on the risks to the UK from climate change. The Well-Adapted UK report sets out the Committee’s analysis and advice on adapting to the risks identified in the Technical Report.

This website hosts the CCRA4-IA Technical Report and supporting research, alongside the outputs of the independent assessment for the Third Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3-IA).

Previous independent assessments

  • For the Third Climate Change Risk Assessment, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) asked the CCC to prepare an independent advice report setting out the latest evidence on the risks and opportunities to the UK from climate change. The report does not summarise all 61 risks and opportunities in detail as this is done elsewhere, but it does provide a synthesis of the cross-cutting issues that emerge from the Technical Report, alongside the Committee’s recommendations.
  • For the Second Climate Change Risk Assessment, Defra asked the CCC to prepare an independent advice report setting out the latest evidence on the risks and opportunities to the UK from climate change. The report found six immediate priority areas related to risks of flooding and coastal change, the impact of high temperatures on health and wellbeing, risks to natural capital, risks of future water shortages, impacts on the global food system, and risks arising from new and emerging pests and diseases.
  • For the first Climate Change Risk Assessment, the Evidence Report assessed over 100 risks and opportunities, narrowed down from an initial list of over 700, and was prepared by a consortium led by the consultancy HR Wallingford.