Coming soon

UK Climate Projections 2009 (UKCP09)

Project duration: since 2009

The UK Climate Projections (UKCP09) provide a basis for studies of impacts and vulnerability and decisions on adaptation to climate change in the UK over the 21st century. The data is focussed on the UK. The projections are appropriate for decisions on adaptation to long-term climate change which need to be taken on the basis of current knowledge.

The projections have been designed as input to the difficult choices that planners and other decision-makers will need to make, in sectors such as transport, healthcare, water resources and coastal defences, to ensure the UK is adapting well to the changes in climate that have already begun and are likely to grow in future. The underlying projections are in the form of numerical data that can be explored and downloaded with a purpose-built User Interface; this can also be used to visualise the data in the form of maps and graphs.

UKCP09 is the fifth generation of climate change information for the UK, and its projections are based on a new methodology designed by the Met Office. Support for UKCP09 users is provided by online guidance and regularly-updated FAQs, as well as a Helpdesk. Training sessions and an e-learning course are also available to help in using UKCP09.

The Projections are presented for three different future scenarios representing High, Medium and Low greenhouse gas emissions.

The types of climate information provided are:

·           Observed climate data

·           Climate change projections

·           Marine & coastal projections

Another important feature is the Weather Generator.

The UK Climate Projections show what the major changes to the UK’s climate would most likely be in the absence of such action to cut global emissions. These can be characterised as warmer and wetter winters, hotter and drier summers, sea level rise, and more severe weather.

Link: ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.uk

e-mail: webmaster@defra.gsi.gov.uk