This section contains extracts of, and links to, two recent reports that consider the risk, consequences and possible management responses to climate change for buildings in various locations of Australia.
Contents
Summary
What does climate change mean for commercial buildings?
The following recent reports consider the risk, consequences and possible management responses to climate change for buildings in various locations of Australia.
An Assessment of the Need to Adapt Buildings to the Unavoidable Consequences of Climate Change
(August 2007)
Final Report to the Australian Greenhouse Office, Department of the Environment and Water Resources by BRANZ Limited
Authors: Lynda Amitrano (BRANZ), Rachel Hargreaves (BRANZ), Ian Page (BRANZ), Kevin Hennessy (CSIRO), Trevor Lee (Energy Partners), Mark Snow (Energy Partners), Les Winton (Artcraft Research), Rosalie Woodruff (NCEPH) and Tord Kjellstrom (NCEPH)
About this report
Climate change is likely to affect buildings in a range of ways that have potential implications for both the existing building stock and the design of new buildings. This study is a first step in examining the capacity of Australia's building stock and building practices to maintain current levels of amenity in the face of a changing climate and the scope to consider changes in building practices to adapt to climate change.
Extract from AGO report
'Possible effects on buildings
Many buildings erected today will still be in use in 40 - 60 years. It is therefore important to consider the likely effect of climate changes expected over this period on the structure and functionality of buildings being constructed now.
The main impacts of climate change with implications for Australian buildings are:
- increased energy consumption due to higher temperatures
- health effects of over-heating
- increased risk of damage from more intense tropical cyclones and storms and stronger winds, and from increased cracking of drier soils and from increased ground movement impacting on foundations and pipe work
- increased damage from flooding
- increased bushfire risk
Energy modelling conducted as part of this study shows an increased cooling load for all locations, offset by decreased heating loads for locations in cooler climate zones. The results are similar for office buildings, except that offsets due to reduced heating loads in cooler climates are less significant due to the high internal loads from
equipment and lighting (see figure below).
Simulated energy end use consumption of 10-storey offices in key locations
For comparison purposes, the simulated energy performance results have been graphed against the respective energy performance targets published by the Property Council of Australia (PCA), (Energy Guidelines 2001).
More frequent hot spells could have significant health implications because elevated temperatures over extended periods stress the cardiovascular system, especially
when temperatures remain relatively high overnight. The temperatures people experience during hot spells will be influenced by the buildings they inhabit.
Temperature also affects the capacity to work. Fatigue increases at higher temperatures, workers find it harder to concentrate and accidents are more likely to happen. The threshold at which capacity to work begins to decrease depends on acclimation and type of work. There are possible implications for workers in buildings without air conditioning.
Climate change may increase the risk of structural damage to buildings, especially damage resulting from strong winds associated with more intense tropical cyclones and storms. Residential buildings are considered more vulnerable to such damage than commercial buildings. A lesser risk to the structure of buildings arises from possible increased cracking as soils become drier.
The risk of bushfires is expected to increase as the climate changes and this will increase the risk to property. It should be noted, however, that the likelihood of severe bushfire returning to a particular location is very low because of the time needed for fuel loads to rebuild.
Flooding is expected to become more frequent as the climate changes and the risk to buildings in some areas will increase.'
Source: Amitrano et al, 2007, p.3 & 4
Summary of adaptation options
Source: Amitrano et al 2007, p.5
The executive summary continues and includes details of:
- resilience of Australia's building stock
- possible adaption measures
- costs of adaption
- opportunities
- research needs.
Link to Full Report
An Assessment of the Need to Adapt Buildings to the Unavoidable Consequences of Climate Change
Infrastructure and climate change risk assessment for Victoria, Report to the Victorian Government
(March 2007)
Prepared for: Victorian Government
Prepared by: CSIRO, Maunsell Australia Pty Ltd, Phillips Fox
Editorial team: Mr Paul Holper, CSIRO; Mr Sean Lucy, Phillips Fox; Mr Michael Nolan, Maunsell Australia; Mr Claudio Senese, Maunsell Australia; Mr Kevin Hennessy, CSIRO
Extract from Victorian Government report
'Buildings
Increased frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall, wind and lightning events is likely to cause significant damage to buildings and urban facilities. Buildings and facilities close to the coast are particularly at risk when storm surges are combined with sea level rise.
Accelerated degradation of materials, structures and foundations of buildings and facilities may occur through increased ground movement and changes in groundwater. Increased temperature and solar radiation could reduce the life of building and facility elements due to temperature expansion and materials breakdown of concrete joints, steel, asphalt, protective cladding, coatings, sealants, timber and masonry. This accelerated degradation of materials may reduce the life expectancy of buildings, structures and facilities, increasing the maintenance costs and leading to potential structural failure during extreme events.
Of all the infrastructure sectors dealt with in this report, the building sector has the most diversity in ownership, the greatest number of individual owners, and the greatest level of public participation in ownership. This presents challenges regarding communication of the risks to owners, and ensuring that the risks are incorporated into decision making.'
Source: Holper et al, 2007, p.3
Link to Full Report
Infrastructure and climate change risk assessment for Victoria, Report to the Victorian Government
Add Comment
