Climate change is a fundamental threat to
our quality of life. The causes of climate change may be disputed but the
change is undeniable. We need to learn how to live with unpreventable change
and to minimise future damage. Currently, our ability to adapt to climate
change is being out-paced by changes to the climate. New techniques are
required if we are to “future proof” ourselves from the worst effects of
climate and other change.
“Future proofing” can be achieved by
undertaking risk assessments of sites, structures, materials and their use, and
minimising exposure of people and community assets to climatic and other
hazardous events. We must seek ‘win, win, win’ solutions that do not put a
future burden on people and their environment. Sustainability involves taking a
preventative approach as well as planning ahead for adaptability.
About the location of development -
- Is the location at risk from flood, erosion, subsidence,
instability, storm, drought, pollution, or health hazard? If so, can the
development be located elsewhere?
- What are the implications for the environment, for the
economy and for the community of protecting a development from risk? (eg will
flood protection be cost-effective? will it destroy valuable habitats? will it
induce flooding elsewhere?)
- Will the proposed new use of the site increase
greenhouse gas emissions or create other effects which could set off a chain of
unacceptable events? (eg carbon
released from soil/peat/vegetation clearance, surface run-off causing erosion
or flooding elsewhere, contaminants in soil, silt or water being re-mobilised to cause new pollution etc)
About the design of the development -
- Has the design of the building taken into account the
potential impact of climate change? (eg flooding, subsidence,
driven rain, wind exposure, solar gain and UV exposure)
- How long is the building likely to last and how
appropriate will the design be over this tim
e period? Is it compatible with anticipated changes and increased
risk at this location? Is the building or its function readily removable,
adaptable or easy to dismantle?
- Has the selection of materials and fittings (eg paints,
finishes, water supply, drainage, roofing systems etc) taken into account
potential climate change and other hazards?
- Has information been supplied to potential
occupants/purchasers about risks affecting the site and about
mitigation/avoidance measures?
- Coping better with climate changes
- Less impact on the climate from new developments and
activities
- Development of new “future proof” design and
construction skills
- Creative use of new or more effective materials and
practical forms of development
- Heightened public awareness of the importance of climate
change and thus greater motivation to stop actions that cause climate change
- Increased public awareness of risk and emergency
planning procedures; development of new information systems to enable avoidance
of risk by house and property purchasers
- Wessex Water New Operations Centre, Bath
- Eden Project, St Austell, Cornwall
- Tolvaddon Energy Park, Cornwall
- Environment Agency Laboratory, Starcross, Devon
- National Trust Porlock Bay land management project
- Sea Defence Scheme, Minehead - use of soft and hard
elements to deal with sea level rise
- C-CLIF web site (www.c-clif.co.uk)
- South West Regional Sustainable Development Framework -
Theme 3
- Environment Agency website information on flood risk and
environmental health, by postcode “What’s in your backyard” (www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv)
- BRE publication - potential implications of climate
change in the built environment
- National Trust climate change policy & adaptation
strategies (www.ntenvironment.com/html/env_iss)
- Planning Policy Guidance note 25 - Development and Flood Risk
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (www.ippc.ch)
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