ONS climate related mortality statistics: comment

Commenting on climate-related mortality statistics published today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) [1], Gareth Redmond-King, Head of International Programme at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said: "These numbers confirm what the summer of 2026 has brought very sharply into focus - extreme heat is a growing threat to lives in the UK, as we continue to heat our planet by burning oil and gas, and adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

"Of nearly 3,000 deaths in this summer's May and June heatwaves alone, more than 1,100 would not have happened without the additional heat that we have added through climate change. [2] And across Europe, more than 30,000 people have been killed by the heat this summer. [3] If we don't speed our way to net zero emissions - the only solution to bringing our climate back into balance - then this hot and dangerous summer will be one of the coolest of the rest of our lives, and the extreme heat will kill more and more people, particularly the most vulnerable."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1.  Climate-related mortality, England and Wales: 1988 to 2025 (ONS) 

2. Interim heat mortality monitoring report, England: May and June 2026 (UK Health Security Agency) 

3. At least 35,000 excess deaths recorded in Europe’s back-to-back heatwaves (The Guardian) 

For more information or for interview requests:

George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: 020 8156 5305, M: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net