Home » Future Foundations Sustainable Construction

Climate Change

Construction in a Changing Climate:
Building for Resilience Conference

10 am – 4pm 14th September 2011, Arup, Bristol

How do we ensure that our built environment is resilient to weather and climate, both now and in the future?

This conference will offer solutions to this question, and will see the launch and first showing of ‘Construction in a changing climate: building for resilience’ – a new film designed to support industry professionals in adapting to the impacts of extreme weather and climate change

Booking for this event is now closed.

The conference will be chaired by Lesley Seymour (Buro Happold and Chair of Future Foundations). Guest speakers include:

Prof. Bill Gething
Design for a Future Climate

Dr. Fionnuala Costello
Technology Strategy Board

For a full list of speakers, see the event flyer.

For any conference queries please contact: climatesw@environment-agency.gov.uk

For any payment queries please contact info@buildsw.org.uk

Supported by:

 CPD film: ‘Construction in a Changing Climate: building for resilience’

 This CPD film is designed to support construction industry professionals in adapting to the impacts of extreme weather and climate change.  It has been produced by Climate SouthWest in partnership with Future Foundations and Constructing Excellence South West, and is supported by the Construction Clients’ Group.

 ‘Construction in a Changing Climate: building for resilience’ includes interviews with expert speakers, such as Professor Bill Gething author of  'Design for a Future Climate' (Technology Strategy Board 2010).  Featuring onsite case studies (covering homes, commercial buildings and new developments), we hear from a range of industry players who demonstrate how adapting to climate change has been integrated into the development, design and construction of their sites. 

 Key messages

The key messages from the film are:

  •  The climate is changing and the construction sector needs to take action.  Our buildings are already affected by extreme weather and climate change will only make things worse.

  •  Translating climate risks into business risks will help you make informed decisions and improve the resilience of your property asset.

  • Adaptation doesn’t have to cost more; considering adaptation from day 1 can help you work the supply chain and get the best prices.

  • Meet with key agencies early on, build good working relationships, and work together with fellow professionals to share knowledge and learning. 

  • Considering adaptation at all stages in the construction process will help ensure that our buildings are fit for purpose and resilient throughout their whole lifetime.

 Framework for action:

  1. Identify how your site is already affected by weather
  2. Assess how your site may be affected in the future by extreme weather and the changing climate
  3. Identify the practical measures you can implement to reduce the risks

Further resources to help you integrate climate change adaptation into all stages of the design and construction process are listed below.  You can also find out more about the impacts of climate change at www.oursouthwest.com/climate. 

 USEFUL RESOURCES

 General information

 Risk assessment and adaptation toolkits

Climate Change Briefing

07. Designing for Flood Risk

 Future Climate Data

Flooding and drainage

 Planning guidance

Adapting to Climate Change – ensuring resilience in the built environment

Our changing climate is bringing warmer, drier summers; milder, wetter winters and more extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and heatwaves.  These changes have a number of implications that the construction industry need to consider.  For example:

  • More frequent and intense periods of heavy rainfall will increase flood risk
  • Longer dry spells and droughts will increase the risk of subsidence and cracking of render
  • Water demand is likely to increase in summer, but water supply will be reduced
  • Demand for cooling systems in summer will increase but winter heating demand will reduce
  • There are potential commercial opportunities for new technologies and expertise
  • Sea level rise will exacerbate flood risk in some areas
  • There will be a higher risk of damage to buildings from storms
  • Increased coastal erosion due to sea level rise and storms will threaten some locations and building foundations.

Given that the built environment is intended to have a very long lifespan, it is essential that new developments are built to withstand these climatic changes and their impacts.  Adaptation to climate change is increasingly likely to be required by legislation and to become a criteria for securing adequate building insurance cover.  It is a vital element of wider sustainable construction, yet in the past it has often been overlooked.

Careful planning and design can significantly increase the resilience of buildings without necessarily incurring extra costs.  Some adaptive measures have multiple benefits, simultaneously contributing towards climate change mitigation or resource efficiency objectives.  For instance, natural ventilation systems will both help to reduce energy usage and help to keep a building cool in the higher temperatures that are anticipated.  Similarly, water efficiency measures will become all the more important in the future as higher temperatures increase demand but decreased summer rainfall place water supplies under greater pressure. 

It is also important that the existing building stock is retrofitted with adaptation measures, in order to increase its resilience.  Older buildings may be inherently more vulnerable to some impacts such as the infiltration of water causing damp and mould.  Ensuring that adaptation is incorporated into all new buildings, as well as actively pursuing retrofit opportunities, will help to promote the awareness, knowledge and expertise needed to also address the issue within existing stock.

Climate  SouthWest 

Becca Eastman, Climate SouthWest Project OfficerAlex Webb, Climate SouthWest Manager

Becca Eastman and Alex Webb from Climate SouthWest



For more information about adapting to the impacts of climate change in the South West, visit the Climate SouthWest website at www.oursouthwest.com/climate.  Climate SouthWest  is a regional partnership which works with stakeholders across key sectors, including housing and construction, to enhance the region's resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Case Studies

Adapting to Climate Change Case Studies can be seen here