Abstract

Recent flooding events in the United Kingdom have raised concerns that climate change is increasing flood frequency and intensity. England and Wales were significantly affected by these extreme weather incidents. Rapid coastal erosion is becoming a major concern, particularly in England (Hallsands, Dawlish, and Lynmouth), South Wales (Llanelli), and Scotland (Balivanich) with circa 3008 km of coastline being lost to the sea. These situations result in significant losses of infrastructure mainly in coastal zones across the UK. Consequently, this qualitative study primarily analyses the UK flood damage costs for commercial and residential properties along with coastal erosion costs by using a methodology: 2PA (Two Path Analysis). Applications of the methodology provide more factual damage costs, which highlight potential climate change impacts on present and future generations. Primary results revealed that the UK flooding costs for properties and coastal erosion costs are to be £1.3 billion per year with more than 6 million properties at flood risk. These costs represent only 0.08% of national GDP, showing it to be small on a national scale. Predictions denote that socio-economic costs will negatively affect national GDP if flood resilience is not improved.