IChemE backs call for major UK infrastructure change

An alliance of nearly half a million engineers has called for a radical rethink of the way that UK infrastructure is planned, developed and protected in a new report published today. It calls for a centralised process of decision making in Government, and a new approach to sharing information in the commercial sector.

Without this ‘joined up’ thinking, the impact of climate change could have severely detrimental effects on the UK public and economy by crippling vital services such as electricity, roads and broadband.

The report, ‘Infrastructure, Engineering and Climate Change Adaptation: Ensuring services in an uncertain future’ was written for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and prepared from the perspective of the engineering profession. Today, the Engineering the Future group – of which IChemE is a member - formally presents the report to Government.

Malcolm Wilkinson, an IChemE Fellow and Chair of the Institution’s Sustainability Subject Group says: "As chemical engineers we have mainly been focusing on limiting the build up of atmospheric CO2 concentrations and the resultant temperature rise. But it is clear that even if we are successful in limiting global temperature rise to the target 2ºC, which seems increasingly optimistic, we will be subjected to extreme weather events which could have disastrous consequences for the UK’s infrastructure and hence the economy.

"This report and the government’s recognition of its importance is therefore a timely input to the National Infrastructure Plan. It highlights the inter-dependencies between energy, transport, water and ICT and calls for a systems approach to the design and operation of the whole utilities network, something chemical engineers are specifically able to contribute," says Wilkinson.

The report examines vulnerabilities in energy, transport, communications and water systems and crucially identifies those vulnerabilities that affect the infrastructure system as a whole. ‘Cascade failure’, where failures in one area have a domino effect on others such an loss of power due to floods leading to loss of transport and communications systems – cause major disruption, frustration and have significant economic impact. The report identifies ways to prevent, and prepare for such events. . The findings are part of a national programme that will eventually lead to the Government’s adaptation strategy.

Lord Browne, President of the Royal Academy says, "Climate change is a reality. While efforts must continue towards mitigating its effects, there is a crucial need to adapt to the changing climatic conditions that are anticipated this century. Extreme weather and long term climate change threaten critical national infrastructure and the UK economy, since a robust infrastructure is essential to economic functioning and growth."

The report finds that adaptation to climate change requires two forms of response: dealing with long term effects on the infrastructure such as rising sea levels and developing resilience to acute and extreme weather events such as flash flooding.

Click here to download the report.