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
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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
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• 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
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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
Increased Radiation
• Plastic, wood and surface coatings subject to greater degradation
• Increased requirement for solar glare control
• Increased cooling loads (and cooling costs)
• Building envelope at increased risk of cracking / failure
• Soil drying and movement
• Increased thermal discomfort Increased Average Temperatures and More Extreme Temperature Events
• Structural loading by pressure forces
• Total building collapse and destruction
• Impact damage from flying debris
• Rain / moisture penetration leading to internal damage More Intense Tropical Cyclones and Storms
• 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 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 Increased Risk of Bushfires
Source: Adapted from BRANZ (2007) - AECOM
Superstorm Sandy
Source: www.ozcoasts.org 7
Source: Grungly.files 8
Source: The Courier Mail 9
The Mirvac apartments at Tennyson succumbed to the river
Increased Radiation
• Plastic, wood and surface coatings subject to greater degradation
• Increased requirement for solar glare control
• Increased cooling loads (and cooling costs)
• Building envelope at increased risk of cracking / failure
• Soil drying and movement
• Increased thermal discomfort Increased Average Temperatures and More Extreme Temperature Events
• Structural loading by pressure forces
• Total building collapse and destruction
• Impact damage from flying debris
• Rain / moisture penetration leading to internal damage More Intense Tropical Cyclones and Storms
• 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 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 Increased Risk of Bushfires
Source: Adapted from BRANZ (2007) - AECOM
Heat Islands
Source: Coutts et al, Urban Policy & Research, March 2010
It’s getting hotter
Source: J McDonald – Four Degrees, 2011
Present 2070
Adelaide 17 47
Brisbane 1 21
Canberra 5 26
Darwin 11 308
Melbourne 9 26
Perth 28 67
Sydney 3.5 12
Days > 35 C
Heatwave impacts on residential building performance
12 Source: Nguyen, Wang & Chen
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Victoria – January 2009 Heatwave
• Excess deaths – 347
• 25% 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
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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
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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 21st century
• The tool applies a morphing technique to the data based on anticipated climate changes
Source: The Chartered Institute of Buildings Services Engineers – TM48:2009
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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
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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
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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 2020.”
Stephen Chu – Secretary, US Department of Energy
Sustainable precincts
Source: Japan for Sustainability, Feb 2011
Green roofs and walls
White roofs
Cool paving
Trees and green spaces Walking and riding
Urban drainage and rainwater harvesting
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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 2008
• 9,000 acres of tree canopy added since 1993
• Managing stormwater, including 150 green alleys
• Green permit acceleration
Source: Progress Report First Two Years
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The New York example
Source: plaNYC
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New York NPCC climate protection levels
Source: Annals of the New York Academy of Science www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123443047/issue
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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
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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
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