BRE FB2 PDF

Introduction

Climate change as a result of human activities has already begun to have a discernible effect on global mean temperatures. There will be significant effects on the built environment in this century even if efforts to mitigate against climate change by reducing the output of greenhouse gases are successful.

BRE East Kilbride published a study in 1998[1] that gave a broad view of the potential impacts of climate change on building. The purpose of the present report is to take the study a stage further by quantifying some of the impacts and by reviewing possible adaptation strategies.

Climate change scenarios have been taken from the data provided by the UK Climate Impacts Programme[2] and are summarised in Chapter 2 and Appendix A. The ‘Medium–High' scenario has been chosen as the main basis for the technical assessments of impacts and risks that follow. The impacts are reviewed in Chapter 2.

Chapter 3 gives detailed impact assessments for different parts of the built environment in terms of technical requirements and economic and social costs and benefits. Some guidance is also given on possible adaptation strategies.

Chapter 4 gives a brief review of the UK building stock and discusses its vulnerability to damage induced by climate change.

Chapter 5 looks at the reaction of institutions to climate change. It includes the impact on the finance (insurance and mortgage) industry, the construction industry, Building Regulations and Codes, and the public (owners and occupiers of buildings). Much of the information gathered here comes from interviews with a representative cross-section of the industry and from the responses to a questionnaire that was widely distributed within the construction industry and representative bodies. A literature search also helped to broaden the scope of this chapter to encompass all the concerns and opportunities identified to date.

Chapter 6 discusses the way forward — what can be done to ensure that the UK built environment suffers minimal impacts from climate changes, and what the main recommendations are for adaptation strategies.

This report is intended to help all sectors of the construction and finance industries to consider the implications of climate change on their business and the UK economy as a whole. The report intends to help developers to build new properties that are robust enough to last their intended lifetime and to safeguard the health, safety and comfort of their occupants.