In response to the recent release of The Climate Change Committee report on climate change adaptation in Wales, the ACE has developed an initial member briefing highlighting key insights and recommendations, and their potential impact members and the wider industry.

The independent report underscores the critical role of ACE members in building resilience against the relentless impacts of climate change. The report evaluates progress and identifies future priorities for climate adaptation in Wales.

The report serves as a stark wake-up call, reminding us that climate change adaptation is not an option but an urgent imperative. The document assesses the state of climate resilience across various sectors. Of particular interest to the ACE is the report's focus on transport, energy, and buildings.

Building Resilience Challenges in Wales

• Overheating: The report highlights limited progress in adapting buildings to prevent overheating during heatwaves. Insufficient data on both residential and non-residential overheating poses a significant hurdle. Recent research indicates that a substantial portion of the residential building stock is currently prone to overheating, a proportion that is projected to increase in future warming scenarios.

• Flooding: Buildings preparedness for flooding also emerges as a critical concern. With nearly 300,000 buildings at risk from flooding in Wales, there is a pressing need for comprehensive resilience measures. The report notes that while some local authorities have undertaken small-scale investments in property-level flood resilience, there is a lack of centralized data on such measures.

Challenges in the Transport Sector

• Infrastructure Vulnerabilities: Wales' transport infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including extreme weather events. This vulnerability has significant implications for transportation safety, efficiency, and accessibility.

• Resilient Transport Networks: The report calls for investments in resilient transport networks that can withstand climate-induced disruptions. Consulting engineers will play a critical role in designing and implementing these adaptations.

Energy Resilience

• Renewable Energy: While Wales has made strides in renewable energy generation, the report emphasizes the need for robust energy systems that can cope with the variability of renewable sources. Engineering solutions will be vital in achieving energy resilience.

ACE Member Briefing:

ACE has distilled the report's findings into a member briefing. This briefing, designed to guide ACE members, provides an overview of the report's key points and their implications for the industry.

Call to Action:
ACE members have a significant role to play in the next steps following the publication of this report. The CCC report is a reminder that the industry shapes the future built environment.

ACE invites its members to delve into the CCC report, explore the member briefing, and join the ACE Committee as we look to work with, and influence, the Welsh Government.

Download your copy.
To get involved in the work of the ACE Wales, please contact Guto Davies.

Find out more about the ACE Wales.