Climate Change Adaptation

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Context

In the UK, we can expect future changes to seasonal rainfall (wetter winters and drier summers), higher temperatures, rising sea levels and coastal erosion. It is also expected that the UK is likely to experience increased extreme events, such as high winds, heavy prolonged rainfall, flooding, drought and heat waves as the UKCIP report Measuring progress: Preparing for climate change through the UK Climate Impacts Programme reveals. All of these have direct impacts – but also secondary ones, such as the stability and moisture of soils.

It is essential that we build the potential for adaptation into design and construction methods – whether this is new development, refurbishment or regeneration.  With this in mind the following form part of the Strategy for Sustainable Construction.

Actions and Deliverables

Overarching Target

To develop a robust approach to adaptation to climate change, shared across Government.

What can industry do?

It is essential that the potential for adaptation is built into design and construction methods – whether this is new development, refurbishment or regeneration.

Further information:

Listed below are sources of information and assistance regarding climate change adaptation. 

• Planning Portal: Building Regulations guidance for general public and professional users, including the Approved Documents and associated guidance. 
• Carbon Trust 
• Department of Communities and Local Government 
• Department of Energy and Climate Change 
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
• Environment Agency                                                                                  
• Within the context of delivering the Government's Strategy for Trees, Woods and Forests, the Forestry Commission will continue to develop the contribution which trees, woods and forests can make to sustainable housing growth, including climate change adaptation 
• Future Water, the Government’s water Strategy for England places climate change adaptation at the heart of water policy development. 
• Green Infrastructurehas a key role to play in ensuring developments are resilient and adaptable to the likely impacts of climate change 
• Government is continuing to fund research in this area – notably through the Hadley Centre
• Planning Policy Statements (PPS) and in particular the PPS Climate Change, as a supplement to PPS1: Delivering Sustainable Development, is of particular significance in ensuring that tackling climate change becomes a primary objective of the planning system. PPS25 Development and Flood Risk helps planners to avoid, manage and reduce future flood risk to communities through the location, layout and design of development. There is draft practice guidance supporting the PPS on climate change and a Practice Guide supporting PPS25. 
• Delivery of adaptable developments and urban environments, including the refurbishment of existing buildings and infrastructure, will require improved skills and multi-disciplinary working. The Sector Skills Councils and the appropriate professional bodies will therefore be working with industry and skills providers to ensure that both new entrants and existing professionals have developed the skills necessary to respond to climate change and keep pace with policy and technology advancements. 
• Government advice on Trees in Towns is available. 
• UK Climate Impacts Programme  

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