A recent survey conducted by Barclays reveals that this year’s record-breaking heat waves in the United Kingdom have significantly influenced both business investment strategies and consumer behavior. The findings, based on data collected in late July and released on Thursday, highlight how rising temperatures are prompting companies and individuals to adapt to increasingly frequent and intense heat events.

The survey, involving 1,000 senior business decision-makers and insights from 2,000 consumers, shows that 60% of businesses in the U.K. are either investing or planning to invest in technologies aimed at coping with extreme heat. These include climate control systems and infrastructure retrofitting designed to improve resilience against soaring temperatures. The study also reported a 4.3% increase in cash inflows to Barclays accounts linked to companies specializing in air conditioning during the second quarter compared to the previous year.

Consumer behavior is similarly affected by heat, with temperatures above 25.1 degrees Celsius discouraging shopping activity and temperatures exceeding 24.2 degrees Celsius reducing commuters’ willingness to travel. These temperature thresholds reflect a shift in daily routines, influenced by discomfort and health concerns tied to hotter weather.

This summer’s extreme heat came on the heels of a historic period of record temperatures in the U.K., where Britons endured five separate heat waves with temperatures climbing above 38 degrees Celsius. Such conditions have disrupted productivity, especially within vulnerable sectors such as farming and construction. The high temperatures have also exposed vulnerabilities across critical infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and public transportation systems, which have struggled to operate effectively under the strain.

Experts attribute these heat waves to the accelerating effects of climate change, noting that events of this severity are likely to become more frequent as fossil fuel emissions continue. Last year marked the hottest year recorded in the U.K. since 1884, and forecasts indicate that the summer of 2026 may surpass that benchmark. Scientific projections suggest that by the 2050s, heat waves will be longer and more intense, with temperatures potentially reaching as high as 45 degrees Celsius in some regions.

In response to the heat, 28% of surveyed businesses have implemented well-being measures such as additional employee breaks, while 23% offer flexible or remote work arrangements, and 21% have adjusted working hours to accommodate staff safety and productivity concerns. However, the impact of heat varies by company size: more than 25% of small businesses reported negative effects on productivity, whereas nearly half of larger firms experienced some positive operational outcomes during the hot periods.

Jason Constable, head of real estate at Barclays U.K. Corporate Bank, emphasized that ongoing extreme heat events present an operational challenge for companies but also represent opportunities for industries involved in climate mitigation and adaptation services, including heating and cooling solutions, retrofitting, and facilities management.

Overall, the Barclays survey underscores the growing economic and behavioral consequences of rising temperatures in the U.K., highlighting the need for businesses and consumers alike to adapt as climate change continues to reshape environmental and market conditions.