Climate Change and the Built Environment Nigel Richardson Natural, Geographical and Applied Sciences Edge Hill University

Figure SPM.3

Hot 2003 European summer: human activities have doubled the risk

Figure TS.22

European 2003 summer temperatures could be normal by 2040s, cool by 2060s

Climate Change Impacts in the Built Environment The built environment is distinctive High building mass increases thermal capacity Artificial space heating Air conditioning Lower wind speeds Less convective and E/T heat loss URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT Climate change is likely to strengthen the urban heat island

The built environment is distinctive

High building mass increases thermal capacity

Artificial space heating

Air conditioning

Lower wind speeds

Less convective and E/T heat loss

URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT

Climate change is likely to strengthen the urban heat island

Urban Heat Island (UHI)

Surface temperature

Climate Change Impacts in the Built Environment Climate change resulting in: Higher air temperatures in the built environment Air stagnation Lower rainfall Increased frequency of heatwaves Reduced ventilation Deterioration of air quality (Ozone and fine particulates) Increase in respiratory-related disease

Climate change resulting in:

Higher air temperatures in the built environment

Air stagnation

Lower rainfall

Increased frequency of heatwaves

Reduced ventilation

Deterioration of air quality (Ozone and fine particulates)

Increase in respiratory-related disease

Climate Change Impacts in the Built Environment cont’d Impervious surfaces increase surface run-off Increased frequency and intensity of rainfall predicted for this century (IPCC, 2007) Complex interplay between amount of precipitation change and excess capacity of sewer and drainage systems Climate change may: Increase urban flood risk Problems of foul water flooding Risks to health Disruption of transport networks

Impervious surfaces increase surface run-off

Increased frequency and intensity of rainfall predicted for this century (IPCC, 2007)

Complex interplay between amount of precipitation change and excess capacity of sewer and drainage systems

Climate change may:

Increase urban flood risk

Problems of foul water flooding

Risks to health

Disruption of transport networks

Future London? Future Liverpool?

Responses to global climate change 1. Mitigation of climate change slow down global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions 2. Adaptation to climate change respond to the predicted impacts of unavoidable climate change Because of the inertia in the climate system, impacts through to the latter 2040s will be determined by emissions already made in the latter part of the 20 th Century. Therefore, impacts through to the 2040s are unavoidable and need to be addressed (now)

1. Mitigation of climate change

slow down global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions

2. Adaptation to climate change

respond to the predicted impacts of unavoidable climate change

Because of the inertia in the climate system, impacts through to the latter 2040s will be determined by emissions already made in the latter part of the 20 th Century. Therefore, impacts through to the 2040s are unavoidable and need to be addressed (now)

Energy conservation and efficiency Energy use in buildings: 35-40% in USA 40-50% in Europe Need to reverse trend -> improve energy efficiency Retrofitting existing buildings with adequate insulation Minimum energy input, high insulation standards and max. use of passive solar design in all new builds

Energy use in buildings: 35-40% in USA

40-50% in Europe

Need to reverse trend -> improve energy efficiency

Retrofitting existing buildings with adequate insulation

Minimum energy input, high insulation standards and max. use of passive solar design in all new builds

Energy conservation and efficiency cont’d Improved efficiency of appliances e.g. control technologies; lighting Integrated building design Increased use of carbon-free sources of energy supply to the buildings sector e.g. biofuels, wind, solar heating and photovoltaics

Improved efficiency of appliances e.g. control technologies; lighting

Integrated building design

Increased use of carbon-free sources of energy supply to the buildings sector e.g. biofuels, wind, solar heating and photovoltaics

Green space/Green roofs Green space in urban landscape is crucial for: Counters the urban heat island effect Reduces surface run-off/flood risk Improves air quality Habitat availability/connectivity Promotes groundwater recharge Provides receptive environments for the urban population

Green space in urban landscape is crucial for:

Counters the urban heat island effect

Reduces surface run-off/flood risk

Improves air quality

Habitat availability/connectivity

Promotes groundwater recharge

Provides receptive environments for the urban population