Climate Change and Energy Costs Drive UK Food Prices Up, Study Finds
Extreme weather and rising energy costs have jointly increased UK household food bills by an average of £605 (€697) since 2021, driven by a 60% surge in food costs attributed to climate change-induced events, as reported by Angela Symons for Euronews. This rise, totaling £351 (€404) per household, compounded by geopolitical tensions, has added roughly £17 billion (€19.6 billion) to the UK's food bill. The sustained impact of climate change and energy costs has led to continued high food prices throughout 2023, with an additional £169 (€195) in 2022 and £192 (€221) in 2023. Food inflation peaked at 19.2% in March, gradually slowing to 7.9% in October but remaining substantially higher compared to 2021. Looking ahead to 2024, the looming threat of El Niño could worsen extreme weather conditions, intensifying the cost of living crisis. Initiatives like the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) in the UK and proposed EU legislative frameworks aim to promote sustainable agriculture and mitigate climate change's impact on food security and prices.
