British Farmers’ Experience of Extreme Weather

The Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, a non-profit organisation that supports informed debate on energy and climate change issues in the UK, (ECIU) recently commissioned a study seeking to give a holistic understanding of UK farmers perspectives on climate change-driven extreme weather, published as The Impact of Climate Change on British Farms and Farmers’ Mental Health. Based on a survey of 300 farmers by Grounded Research, the findings highlight the growing challenges facing the agricultural sector as weather patterns become increasingly erratic. Climate Spheres is taking a deep dive into their findings and will share perspectives and insights over 3 blogs, focusing on 1). the farmers’ experience and expectations of climate change, 2). the impacts on their mental health, and 3). hopes and potential solutions.

In recent years, the UK has endured unprecedented weather events. In 2022, temperatures hit 40°C for the first time, a phenomenon scientists say was made 10 times more likely by human-induced climate change. The 2023/2024 period had the wettest 18 months on record, with storm rainfall increased by 20% due to climate impacts (such as warmer air being able to hold more moisture). In 2025, the UK saw its warmest spring on record, the sixth driest, and experienced four heatwaves, with the 32°C temperatures during the first heatwave believed to have been made 100 times more likely by climate change. The Met Office, the UK’s national meteorological service, predicts that heatwaves will become longer and hotter, with 40°C temperatures increasingly likely.

Responding to the survey question: “Which of the following extreme weather events have affected your farm in the past five years? Select all that apply.”  

The survey results showed that 98% of farmers reported having experienced extreme weather in the past five years. Within this, 86% reported experiencing extreme rainfall, 78% drought, 54% heatwaves, and 47% flooding. These events have had a significant impact on farm businesses, with 87% of farmers reporting reduced productivity, 84% facing decreased crop or livestock yields, and 74% reported suffering financial losses. 29% reported having experienced complete crop or livestock losses within the last 5 years. It is, however, important to be mindful that the survey question did not specify that the farmer attributed these events to climate change. 

Responding to the survey question: “What impact did the extreme weather have on your farm? Select all that apply.” 

Farmers were also asked about the concerns they had for potential future extreme weather impacts on their farms. The costs of recovering or adapting to extreme events was a concern to 81% of farmers, with 66.3% concerned that their farm would cease to be profitable. Some results suggested that concerns arose due to negative experiences (40.4% reported having seen an increase in pests and disease, rising to 47.3% having concern for this occurring in the future). This may imply that farmers can be unaware of the new risks they need to manage before their first exposure. While very few (0.3%) reported having seen health and safety harms to workers, 24.7% said they were concerned of health and safety harm occurring in the future. 

Within the report, farmer Colin Chappell, an arable farmer in North Lincolnshire, described a ‘boom and bust’ cycle of torrential rains and severe droughts, that contrasted with the relatively predictable seasons of past decades. Previously rare levels of flooding now occur every four years, breaking rainfall records dating back centuries. These disruptions make it difficult to sow, grow, and harvest crops or rear livestock, putting immense pressure on farm businesses. The economic fallout is deeply concerning, especially for a sector where the profits are often very slim. The report underscores that British farmers are experiencing significant and increasing physical risk, grappling with challenges that threaten not only the viability of their businesses but also the UK’s food security. 

At Climate Spheres, our climate change risk assessment tools work with downscaled climate model data to explore a broad range of agroclimatic variables that can directly support farm planning and adaptation. Our assessments can provide such statistical insights as the expected date of the first hard frost, seasonality of soil trafficability, and days per year with heat stress limits exceeding productivity limits for a range of livestock. These insights enable our clients to engage more deeply with their changing risks and opportunities, in order to best facilitate sustainability and success within a changing climate.