The increase in greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere is going to cause global temperatures to increase over the next 100 years. One of the consequences of this change will be that the intensity and quantity of precipitation received by the United Kingdom will change. In the UK this will lead to problems such as increased flooding, drought and slope instability.

Geology of the UK is extremely varied, with rocks of ages ranging from Pre-Cambrian to Quaternary, and with representations of all eras. In the Southeast are the younger gently folded sedimentary rocks forming undulating landscapes. Progressing in a northwest direction, the rocks at outcrop become older. In Wales and Scotland are highlands formed from the oldest metamorphic rocks of varying grades. Igneous rocks are present in the southwest and northwest with both intrusive and extrusive present. Overall, the variations in geology are considerable and complex due to the long geological history of the UK. The UK has a temperate climate with precipitation in the order of 800 mm per annum (southeast) to 1,500 mm (northwest) and summer/winter temperatures typically ranging from 25 to −5°C, respectively, with the higher temperatures in the south and lower in the north. The climate is complex with extremes of both temperature and precipitation.

The likelihood of a slope which has never failed before becoming a landslide is in the UK very rare. However there are many slopes and landslides which exist from a time in the geological past when the climate was different which could be reactivated. Reactivated slope movements are usually slow and therefore are rarely a threat to life; they can however cause major issues for structures and buildings.

Various sites around the UK have been analysed using predicted climate change models to study the impacts of changes in the precipitation and temperature to the likelihood of historical landslides becoming reactivated. It was found that greater seasonality and increased winter variability will have a profoundly negative effect on stability. This will have implications for housing stock located in susceptible areas.