Climate change adaptation for the built environment: developments and needs for structural design standards

This report explores developments and needs for structural design standards in the context of climate change adaptation for the built environment across the European Union (EU). It discusses relevant EU policies and initiatives concerning the impact of climate-related hazards on the structural integrity and functionality of built infrastructure.

The report concludes that the European built environment, with its ageing structures, faces increasing risks without climate adaptation measures, and is thus vulnerable. There is a need for climate-resilient design to protect against a changing climate, extreme weather events and other climate-related hazards. The report discusses how policies such as the European Climate Law and the EU strategy for adaptation to climate change are relevant to this concern. For example, the European Climate Risk Assessment report is a vital resource for assessing risks and opportunities. Moreover, the report identifies how features of the second-generation Eurocodes facilitates implementation and incorporation of future climate science findings into building codes.