Extreme weather and other possible scenarios that lead to environmental decline could have a significant impact on UK jobs and the economy if left unchecked, and must be factored into governmental and business decisions, according to a new WWF report that uses new risk mapping techniques to look at the cost of inaction by 2050.

Without action to protect UK water supplies, a future drought could reduce UK GDP by around £35bn (1%) and 354,000 jobs may be lost, according to new research by ‌AECOM Infrastructure & Environment and Cambridge Econometrics, on behalf of WWF.

The new report, ‘Developing and piloting a UK Natural Capital Stress Test’, shows the potential impact on the UK economy in the year 2050, if actions are not undertaken to curb or adapt to environmental changes, and water supplies are not managed sustainably.

Download the full report (PDF)