New analysis reveals neighbourhoods in Oldham may be sheltered from the worst of scorching temperatures brought by climate change in years to come.

As parts of England are expecting a heatwave that could see temperatures soar to 40C, indicating climate change is well underway, new analysis suggests Oldham might dodge the worst impacts of global warming.

Environment campaign group, Friends of the Earth, said the 2022 heatwave that took place at the start of this week is a strong indication that climate change is here.

They warn that extreme heatwaves will become much more frequent as climate emergency worsens.

Yet while the campaign group found more than 6 million people across England will be vulnerable to extreme temperatures caused by global warming, Oldhamers are not considered at risk.

Their analysis reveals no Oldham neighbourhoods are deemed “at risk” of the worst impacts of rocketing temperatures in the coming years.

An “at risk” neighbourhood is an area that will experience extreme heat for more than five days every summer and is home to a vulnerable population.

Communities that are most vulnerable are generally those with an older population, a higher number of young children and a shortage of green spaces and shelter.

Those with housing most susceptible to overheating, such as high-rise buildings, flats and mobile homes, are also considered to be more at risk from extreme heat.

This is based on research from the University of Manchester which assesses a variety of social and personal factors, including age, deprivation, housing characteristics and access to health services, in its analysis.

The Met Office and the NHS have warned that hot weather can put a strain on the heart and lungs and that older people, young children and those with pre-existing health conditions are at a heightened risk.

Extreme heat can be defined as any temperature above 27.5C with global warming of 1.5C, or above 30C with global warming of 3C.

An estimated 6 million people in England could be regularly exposed to these extreme weather conditions if global warming is limited to a rise of 1.5C – the current goal set by the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

But if global warming was to reach 3C, 30 million people would be at risk of dangerously hot weather with temperatures higher than 30C.

Friends of the Earth head of research, Mike Childs, said: "To prevent the most dangerous scenarios becoming a reality, all countries, including the UK, must make greater efforts to prevent runaway climate breakdown.

"Suggestions by some politicians that the UK should dial back on climate goals are short-sighted and reckless.

"People on the frontlines of the climate crisis in the UK and overseas are already being hit by its impacts, despite being the least responsible.

"We need governments to double-down on cutting emissions and providing funding for climate adaptation programmes."

The Government has pledged to reduce emissions by at least 68 per cent by 2030 and 78 per cent by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, before reaching net zero by 2050.

A Government spokesperson said: "Thanks to government action, we have already driven down emissions by over 45% – the fastest reduction of any G7 country.

"Local areas have an integral part to play in tackling climate change, which is why significant funding is already available to councils for them to take local action, including £1.2 billion in dedicated funds for 2020-21."