Adapting Energy, Transport and Water Infrastructure to the Long-term Impacts of Climate Change

Description

This report was commissioned by the UK cross-departmental Infrastructure and Adaptation project (January 2010).

This report sets out the case for adapting infrastructure in the energy, transport and water sectors so that new and existing infrastructure is able to operate effectively in a long-term changing climate. The report focuses on the long-term impacts of climate change (2030s to 2100) to the infrastructure in the three sectors, setting out:

• the long-term risks from climate to the infrastructure, both technically and operationally, likely timeframe for issues to be tackled and the assessment of potential significance of issues;
• the need to consider the interdependency risks of the infrastructure system and how this can be exacerbated by long-term climate change;
• the need for all infrastructure to consider the long-term impacts of climate change in its design, build and operation;
• the adaptation options available, as well as barriers possibly preventing action;
• suggested recommendations to the Infrastructure and Adaptation project as part of its two year programme of work.

This three month study provides a more thorough understanding of the above issues. It provides a robust starting point for more detailed work on infrastructure and adaptation to be taken forward by the Infrastructure and Adaptation project and others. For example, industry and academia might take forward possible work on understanding possible thresholds/trigger points that infrastructure might have to the impacts of climate change.

Reference information