The built environment : a policy framework for climate adaptation

Transcription

1 The built environment : a policy framework for climate adaptation The Hon. Tom Roper President, Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council Board Member, Climate Institute Thriving Neighbourhoods Melbourne Convention Centre, November 2012

2 Discussion points Mitigation and / or adaptation? What are the impacts? New build and changes for existing buildings Design for the future Sustainable neighbourhoods Our challenge 2

3 ASBEC s Second Plank Report found that 23% of Australia s emissions are attributable to the built environment, growing 38% by 2030 Energy consumption in buildings is a fundamental source of emissions particularly because of our coal fired generation A price for carbon will reduce buildings emissions but is not sufficient complementary measures are essential 3

4 Major risks to buildings and infrastructure Overheating uncomfortable temperatures and increased cooling load Flooding intense rainfall Subsidence and landslip Drought and water scarcity Coastal change Extreme events Thredbo landslide 4

5 Increased Radiation Plastic, wood and surface coatings subject to greater degradation Increased requirement for solar glare control Increased Average Temperatures and More Extreme Temperature Events Increased cooling loads (and cooling costs) Building envelope at increased risk of cracking / failure Soil drying and movement Increased thermal discomfort More Intense Tropical Cyclones and Storms Structural loading by pressure forces Total building collapse and destruction Impact damage from flying debris Rain / moisture penetration leading to internal damage Increased Risk of Bushfires Sea-level rise, Coastal and Inland Flooding Total or partial fire damage to building property and contents Smoke and water damage to building property and contents Health and safety of occupants at risk Increased clearing of vegetation around housing, leading to decreased shading by the natural environment and green space Source: Adapted from BRANZ (2007) - AECOM Water damage to buildings and contents Contamination of building interior from sewage, soil and mud Undermining and / or destruction of foundations Salt spray (coastal) affecting durability of most materials Coastal erosion resulting in loss or damage to property

6 Superstorm Sandy

7 Source: 7

8 Source: Grungly.files 8

9 The Mirvac apartments at Tennyson succumbed to the river Source: The Courier Mail 9

10 Heat Islands Increased Radiation Plastic, wood and surface coatings subject to greater degradation Increased requirement for solar glare control Increased Average Temperatures and More Extreme Temperature Events Increased cooling loads (and cooling costs) Building envelope at increased risk of cracking / failure Soil drying and movement Increased thermal discomfort More Intense Tropical Cyclones and Storms Structural loading by pressure forces Total building collapse and destruction Impact damage from flying debris Rain / moisture penetration leading to internal damage Increased Risk of Bushfires Sea-level rise, Coastal and Inland Flooding Total or partial fire damage to building property and contents Smoke and water damage to building property and contents Health and safety of occupants at risk Increased clearing of vegetation around housing, leading to decreased shading by the natural environment and green space Source: Coutts et al, Urban Policy & Research, March 2010 Source: Adapted from BRANZ (2007) - AECOM Water damage to buildings and contents Contamination of building interior from sewage, soil and mud Undermining and / or destruction of foundations Salt spray (coastal) affecting durability of most materials Coastal erosion resulting in loss or damage to property

11 Days > 35 C Present 2070 Adelaide Brisbane 1 21 Canberra 5 26 Darwin Melbourne 9 26 Perth Sydney It s getting hotter Source: J McDonald Four Degrees, 2011

12 Heatwave impacts on residential building performance Source: Nguyen, Wang & Chen 12

13 Victoria January 2009 Heatwave Excess deaths % increase in ambulance metropolitan case load 34 fold increase in cases with direct heat conditions 12% increase in emergency departments presentations 8 fold increase in direct heat related presentations Major breakdown of a/c in hospitals Source: Dept of Human Services, Victoria 13

14 Transforming the planning & building process Redesign planning and building tools to account for the impacts of climate change Use and improve adaptive management process and contingency planning Take predicted climates into account at the design stage of any new development, refurbishment or regeneration programme Incorporate climate change effects and impacts into new infrastructure initiatives Create resilient outdoor spaces and buildings Promote zero carbon 14

15 Designing for the future Buildings designed today will need to operate through a period of significant climate change CIBSE s future weather years enable designers to assess the impact of climate change using building energy and thermal simulation models Takes into account future climate scenarios for the UK over the 21 st century The tool applies a morphing technique to the data based on anticipated climate changes Source: The Chartered Institute of Buildings Services Engineers TM48:

16 500 Collins Street, Melbourne 5 Star Green Star Energy savings 52% Chilled beams Efficient lighting Solar hot water Water savings Recycled construction waste Waste wise certification Productivity improvements Source: Google Images 16

17 A 1960 s office Improve building envelope by upgrading windows Increase fabric insulation and air tightness Solar shading Improve thermal mass Automatically controlled mechanical ventilation Water chilled beans Night cooling Source: UKCIP 17

18 Cool roofs Changing surface colors in 100 of the world s largest cities could save as much as 44 billion tons of carbon dioxide. This is the equivalent to the rise in global carbon emissions anticipated by Stephen Chu Secretary, US Department of Energy 18

19 Sustainable precincts Green roofs and walls Cool paving Walking and riding White roofs Urban drainage and rainwater harvesting Trees and green spaces Source: Japan for Sustainability, Feb 2011

20 Chicago Climate Action Plan Adding green to urban design 2008 : 21 key actions including roofs, facades, landscaping around buildings Thermal radar mapping the city s hottest spots to prioritise pavement removal, green roofing and tree planting 4 million sq. ft of green roofs, planned or completed since ,000 acres of tree canopy added since 1993 Managing stormwater, including 150 green alleys Green permit acceleration Source: Progress Report First Two Years 20

21 The New York example Source: planyc 21

22 New York NPCC climate protection levels Source: Annals of the New York Academy of Science www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/ /issue 22

23 ASBEC s Built Environment Adaptation Framework Australian Governments & Industry must establish a National Built Environment Adaptation Council to: Report to the Minister for Climate Change Provide a platform for dialogue on adaptation Facilitate information exchange and sponsor research Encourage new design and construction practices Develop mechanisms for community engagement 23

24 A program for joint action The 3 tiers of government should lead by example Sponsor applied research Provide better access to information and tools Invest in education Provide incentives and reform and improve regulation Review building codes and standards Improve planning systems and outcomes 24

25 Our challenge We can no longer afford business as usual No reason for panic nor for complacency Buildings offer the largest and fastest cut in CO2 Design and build for future climates and retrofit what we have Develop strategies to build resilience to current variability and future uncertainties 25

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