Growing Old in a Changing Climate

The document examines the relationship between the UK's ageing population and climate change, highlighting that while certain older age groups have high carbon footprints, they are also disproportionately vulnerable to extreme weather. It calls for integrated policies to improve energy efficiency in homes, enhance public transport, and involve older people in policy-making to ensure a sustainable and secure future.

• Older people in the UK are categorized into three groups with varying carbon footprints: 'baby boomers' (aged 50–64) have the highest footprint at approximately 13.5 tonnes of CO2 per year, emitting 1.5 to 2.5 tonnes more than any other age group. 'Seniors' (aged 65–74) follow with approximately 12.1 tonnes per year, while 'elders' (aged 75 plus) have the highest climate impact per pound spent, largely because home heating represents 40 per cent of their carbon footprint.
• Older populations are more susceptible to the negative effects of climate change due to declining health, physical strength, and reduced capacity for independent coping. This vulnerability is evidenced by the August 2003 European heatwave, which caused an estimated 14,802 deaths in France and 2,139 excess deaths in England and Wales, primarily among elderly people.
• There is a lack of a coherent policy response in the UK regarding the interface between climate change and the ageing population. The document recommends the creation of an 'Older People and Climate Change Group' to develop a national policy framework that integrates sectoral and cross-sectoral approaches.
• To reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty, the document advocates for a government-funded program to retrofit the homes of those of retirement age to the highest energy efficiency standards.
• Older people express a willingness to contribute to climate solutions and believe that government, industry, and local authorities are responsible for taking action. A 2008 survey of people aged 50-plus in North Yorkshire found that 95 per cent believe the UK government is responsible for taking action.

APA

Haq, G. (2008). Growing Old in a Changing Climate. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/climateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008.pdf

Chicago

Haq, Gary. Growing Old in a Changing Climate. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2008. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/climateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Haq |first1=Gary |title=Growing Old in a Changing Climate |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=2008 |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/climateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{haq2008growing, author = {Haq, Gary}, title = {{Growing Old in a Changing Climate}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2008}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/climateolderpeoplepolicybrief2008.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }