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Natural hazards & climate change

This event is currently FULLY BOOKED



This event is now full. We are operating a waiting list. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

This event will present the latest applied science from the academic community, which can provide new insights, solutions or tools for addressing 'environmental risks to infrastructure' and provide an opportunity to consider and discuss how this can be applied to business decisions.


Ticket information
This event is free to attend.
  

This event is part of the NERC Environmental Risks to Infrastructure Programme, which aims to provide sound evidence for the identification and assessment of environmental risks and their impacts on infrastructure, translating the latest research into industry-relevant outputs.
CIRIA is providing co-ordination services to NERC on this Programme.
EDF Energy are providing industry sponsorship for this dissemination event.
 
Background
Infrastructure owners and operators are faced with the challenge of ensuring our vital infrastructure is resilient to the impacts of natural hazards. However there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding how climate change will affect the frequency, severity and location of natural hazards and how this will then impact upon business services. With so much uncertainty, how can decision-makers take effective, appropriate and affordable action?

The topic is often highlighted in the media, in particular after extreme or catastrophic events which have had large impacts on business services and reputation. Extreme weather events in recent years including flooding to heatwaves and droughts, and the subsequent impacts on infrastructure services and business has highlighted the importance of long term planning, risk analysis and continued investment for the sector.  

This event will explore how decision-makers in business and policy are dealing with this issue– what practical tools have already been developed?  How the latest science can be harnessed to enable business decisions for UK infrastructure owners, operators, regulators and designers.

Using and integrating the latest science, supporting innovative approaches to adaptation measures and decision-making to tackle future potential issues can provide multiple benefits for businesses. This workshop would also be relevant to public bodies and regulatory makers who also want to understand the challenges in addressing these risks and hear of the latest research and innovation in the area.

Why attend
The aim of the workshop will be to gather together key players in business, policy and academia in the infrastructure sector to:
  • hear about the latest science on the impact of climate change on the frequency, severity and location of natural hazards
  • to provide better understanding of climate change impacts on business in the infrastructure sector
  • examine how decision-makers in business and policy are dealing with this issue– what practical tools are available to aid effective decision making and whether further research and innovation is required
  • discuss opportunities to build new collaborations between business and academia to ensure science can be used to inform decision making
  • explore future challenges and related opportunities for research and innovation#
  • discuss opportunities for the application of this research in more detail and to identify areas for further research or practical application
Who should attend
Infrastructure operators, designers, contractors, regulators and academics.

Programme


10.00       Welcome & housekeeping 

10.10       Understanding the impact on climate change to support business decisions
                Pietro Bernardara, EDF Energy

10.25       Knowns and unknowns about natural hazards and climate change, and
                possible consequences for infrastructure

                Dr Helen Hanlon, Met Office

10.45       Understanding of the nature and scale of climate change impacts on UK
infrastructure 

                Prof Richard Dawson, Newcastle University 
        
11.00        Panel Q&A

11.15        Coffee break
  
11.30        Findings of collaborative projects 
  • Tomorrow's Railway and Climate Change Adaptation - Dr Erika Palin, Met Office 
  • Urban heat, the Internet of Things and Critical Infrastructure Networks - Dr Lee Chapman, University of Birmingham
  • Anticipating the risks of extreme events on sub-seasonal timescales - Andrew Charlton-Perez, University of Reading 
  • Presenting quantified uncertainty through hazard mapping, and combining with potential damage for infrastructure sectors - Dr Katsu Goda, University of Bristol
12.30         Panel Q&A

13.00         Lunch 

14.00  Innovation insights, tools and concepts
  • The use of catastrophe models – Oasis open source solutions - Mark Pinkerton, CTO Oasis
  • Using expert elicitation for decision making in climate change risks for infrastructure - Professor Rob Lamb, JBA Trust
  • Quantifying and communicating uncertainty - Professor Richard Chandler, University College London
  • Sensitivity analysis for infrastructure sectors: SAFE toolbox – Francesca Pianosi, Bristol University 
15.00         Break out sessions 
                  A number of break out sessions will examine cross cutting topics and provide
  an opportunity to discuss the topics in more details with leading academics.

16.00         Plenary session

16.30         Close       

When
2 December 2015
10.00 - 16.30

Where
Royal Academy of Engineering
3 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5DG


Fees
This event is free to attend.

Booking
If you are unable to book online contact Patrick Williams on 020 7549 3300. Your completed booking form can be returned by post or email to Patrick Williams.

When
12/2/2015
Where
Royal Academy of Engineering 3 Carlton House Terrace LONDON SW1Y 5DG
 
 

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