climateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008-724d9f4308ef312d.pdf

This policy brief examines the intersection of an ageing population and climate change in the UK, highlighting the varying carbon footprints of different age groups and the specific vulnerabilities of older people to extreme weather. It argues for a coordinated national policy framework to reduce the climate vulnerability of older people while leveraging their willingness to contribute to climate solutions.

• The UK is experiencing a significant demographic shift, with the population over 50 expected to reach approximately 27 million, or 41 per cent of the total population, by 2031.
• Carbon footprints vary significantly by age group. 'Baby boomers' (aged 50–64) have the highest impact, averaging 13.5 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is 1.5 to 2.5 tonnes more than any other age group, largely due to high car dependency. 'Seniors' (aged 65–74) follow with approximately 12.1 tonnes per year. 'Elders' (aged 75 plus) have the highest climate impact per pound spent, as home heating accounts for 40 per cent of their carbon footprint and their home energy emissions are 40 per cent higher than the national average.
• Older people are more vulnerable to climate change due to declining health, physical strength, and reduced capacity for independent coping. Extreme heat is a primary threat; for example, the August 2003 European heatwave caused an estimated 14,802 deaths in France and 2,139 excess deaths in England and Wales, primarily among the elderly due to respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
• There is a lack of a coherent policy response addressing the interface between climate change and older people. The document recommends establishing an 'Older People and Climate Change Group' to develop a national policy framework and suggests that the government should risk assess all future policies to ensure they do not undermine greenhouse gas emission targets.
• Specific policy recommendations include a national government-funded program to retrofit the homes of those of retirement age to the highest energy efficiency standards to tackle fuel poverty and reduce CO2. Additionally, the brief calls for improving local accessibility and public transport to reduce car dependency, aiming for EU best practice standards by 2015.
• Older people express a desire to be involved in policy making and problem solving, drawing on their experience. A 2008 survey of people aged 50-plus in North Yorkshire indicated that 95 per cent believe the UK government is responsible for taking action on climate change.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (n.d.). climateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008-724d9f4308ef312d.pdf. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/climateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008.pdf

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. climateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008-724d9f4308ef312d.pdf. n.d. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/climateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=climateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008-724d9f4308ef312d.pdf |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/climateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitutendclimateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008724d9f4308ef312dpdf, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{climateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008-724d9f4308ef312d.pdf}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/climateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }