MINISTERS face fresh calls for a “make polluters pay” law today after analysis revealed 866,000 homes could be at high risk of severe flooding by 2080.

This will include nearly one in five of all homes in Scotland under current global temperature trends, researchers said.

The analysis, carried out by flood risk assessment firm Geosmart on behalf of Greenpeace, showed that 386,716 homes in Scotland could face a “high” or “very high” risk of severe flooding should average temperatures rise by 2.4C above pre-industrial levels by 2080.

This was followed by 122,484 homes in the south-east of England, 71,431 in Wales and 65,884 in the south-west.

Greenpeace UK’s senior climate campaigner Phillip Evans said: “The economic cost of the storms and floods battering Britain is skyrocketing.

“Our data clearly shows that more and more homes will face rising flood risk due to extreme weather events.

“Already, homes in some areas are becoming uninsurable and in certain cases insurers are abandoning towns, leaving councils to pick up the tab.

“Britain is taking a soaking while oil giants like Shell are raking in billions. It’s time they were made to foot the bill for the climate breakdown fuelled by their dirty industry.”

As of early 2026, the world has seen a long-term global warming increase of approximately 1.2°C to 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels.

But the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates this could reach around 2.7°C by 2100 based on the current policies implemented by governments worldwide, with 2.4°C by 2080 fitting this mid-range scenario.

Friends of the Earth’s Mike Childs said: “We need to protect people from flooding now, while also investing in our futures through smart, green policies that cut emissions, ramp up homegrown renewables to bring down our bills and boost energy security, create jobs and, ultimately, help prevent the worst of climate breakdown.”

Disability Rights UK chief executive Kamran Mallick said: “The people who get forgotten are always the ones whose voices, understanding and lived experience are missing in decision-making conversations.”

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright said: “Firefighters are the only professionals trained and equipped to tackle these emergencies, yet the very services the public relies on are being stripped back by relentless cuts.”