The Flooding Vicious Circle
We know that climate change is a significant cause of increased flooding in the UK, but it appears that there is a vicious circle at work as restoring flooded properties creates a huge quality of carbon emissions which further damages the climate.
Calculations by leading insurer Aviva shows that restoring a typical 3 bedroom semi-detached home after a river flooding event generates almost 14 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide. This is equivalent to over six return flights to the USA! The CO2 emissions come from a variety of actions including:
- Drying out the property, which can take up to 77 days
- Construction work
- Replacement fixtures and fittings
- Waste, on average 24m3
- Alternative accommodation for residents on average for 210 days
The total cost on average is £67,663.
This analysis further reinforces the importance of installing flooding prevention and resilience measures and installing flood defences when flooded properties are restored. FloodMatiK automatic barriers installed in doorways can withstand floodwater levels of up to 750mm with no need for power or manual intervention.
Commenting on the Aviva calculations, Paul Fairhurst said “It is really concerning that the action undertaken to restore properties after a flooding event have such a high carbon footprint, further contributing to the climate change that in turn makes future flooding more likely and more extensive.”
