Our network supplies enough water for approximately five million people while keeping urban areas cool and protecting our homes and businesses from flooding. Its value is estimated at £42 billion.
Natural disasters, extreme weather events, failure to adapt to climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse are among the top global risks, with significant consequences for people and nature. Climate threats are likely to become more prevalent.
As a ready-made blue-green infrastructure, canals can contribute to the fight against climate change by:
- balancing water availability through water transfers, saving cost and carbon
- generating hydropower for around 6,200 homes, saving around 9,500 tonnes of CO₂
- moving freight off roads to our larger commercial waterways
- heating and cooling around 350,000 homes, saving over one million tonnes of CO₂ per year
- supplying water to five million homes
- providing flooding relief and water storage
- providing vital green corridors for nature
- providing active travel routes for walking and cycling
