Report on Adapting Energy, Transport and Water Infrastructure to the Long-term impacts of Climate Change
Posted: Friday 12th March 2010
An independent report to the cross-departmental Infrastructure and Adaptation project published recently 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 by URS Corporation Ltd shows that infrastructure in these three priority sectors is potentially at risk, technically and operationally, from climate change if they do not plan effectively now to cope with its affects.
For example:
- The efficiency of fossil fuel power plants may be affected by increased temperatures;
- Road and rail bridges at increased risk of scour due to increased precipitation and/or storminess;
- Reduced security of supply due to changing precipitation patterns and periods of drought.
Climate change presents a long-term problem to our national infrastructure. To minimise its adverse impacts there is a need to ensure that, even if detailed technical solutions vary, new infrastructure, often with a life-time of 50-100 years (or more), is resilient to long-term climate change.
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 change to the infrastructure, both technically and operationally;
- The need to consider the interdependency risks of the infrastructure system;
- 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 the barriers that could prevent action;
The report will inform Defra’s Adapting to Climate Change Programme, its Infrastructure and Adaptation project, individual Government departments and industry.
Further information on the Infrastructure and Adaptation project and the report can be found at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/programme/infrastructure.htm
