Systems thinking beats product thinking: Why the UK needs a flood management revolution

By Paul Curtis 2026-03-12T07:00:00

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For too long, the UK’s approach to water management has been reactive and fragmented. Proactive planning is required to deal with our changing climate, writes Paul Curtis

With Storms Goretti and Chandra saturating the British landscape in quick succession, the beginning of 2026 served as a sobering reminder that “unprecedented” weather is our new baseline.

While the record levels of investment coming down the track in the form of the PR24 and AMP8 commitments are a welcome catalyst, money alone will not keep our feet dry.

Instead, we need a fundamental revolution in how the UK conceives, designs, and implements flood mitigation.

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