Issue Sea level rise and overheating data centres disrupting ports and services

Summary

The report groups rising seas and overheating data centres together as long-term uncertainties. Higher sea levels could disrupt the operation of UK ports and affect imports of food. As the climate warms, data centres that overheat could interrupt public and emergency services. The report states that global sea level has risen about 21 centimetres since 1900 as polar ice melts and warming seawater expands. It expects the rise to continue even if net zero is reached and temperatures stabilise. Coastal erosion and more flooding are already making it harder to insure property.