EA: This project has developed new projections of mean and extreme sea levels (the combined height of mean sea level, tide and surge, but not including waves) to the year 2300. This information is critical for long-term planning and the UK’s adaptation response to increasing sea levels. Flood and coastal erosion risk management authorities, developers and infrastructure operators all need information about the likely impacts of climate change on sea levels to incorporate appropriate levels of protection into their designs. Some assets have expected life spans that go beyond the end of the 21st century. These schemes need information about how extreme sea levels and waves may change over longer timescales.
The Met Office was commissioned to develop new projections of sea level rise for the UK out to the year 2300. The work complements the updated projections of mean and extreme sea level rise to 2100 developed under the UK Climate Projections 2018 (UKCP18) project. The project also carried out a literature review of past and future expected impacts of climate change on waves.