Proceedings W113 - Special Track 18th CIB World ... - Test Input

1. IntroductionThere is overwhelming scientific consensus that since pre-industrial times, increasing emissions ofgreenhouse gases (GHGs) have led to a marked increase in atmospheric GHG concentrations (IPCC,2007) causing global warming. Of the human induced causes of climate change, the energy sector isresponsible for about ¾ of the carbon dioxide emissions in the world (IPCC, 2001). The constructionindustry is said to be not too far behind.According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA, 2000), the biggest source of emissions andenergy consumption both in the U.S. and around the globe is said to be the construction industry.According to a briefing note prepared for the International Investors Group on Climate Change(Kruse, 2004), the cement sector alone is said to account for 5% of global man-made CO 2 emissions.Further, mining and manufacturing of raw materials used in construction and the transportation ofheavy building materials are said to be contributing significantly to climate change. In thecircumstances, it is not difficult to argue that the construction industry is one of the major industriesresponsible for high levels of GHG emissions causing climate change.The current initiatives to deal with climate change in most countries are focused primarily onmitigation, with initiatives to adapt to changing conditions taking a back seat. This is not a good signas the mitigation initiatives would help us sustain the world for the future communities, the presentcommunities need to build resilience to irreversible adverse impacts of climate change (Gunawansa,2010). Construction industry has the potential to deal with mitigation as well as adaptation as thelater is an issue that cannot be neglected given that the adverse effects of year and years of GHGemissions in the past cannot be undone with current mitigation efforts.The following sections of this paper are organised as follows: section 2 highlights the need forlegislative and policy initiatives for climate change adaptation. Sections 3 examines the adaptationinitiatives in Singapore, while section 4 makes recommendations for further measures. Section 5concludes.2. The need for legislative and policy initiatives for climatechange adaptation2.1 What is adaptation?In its 4th Assessment report, IPCC defines adaptation as “adjustment in natural or human systems inresponse to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploitsbeneficial opportunities” (IPCC, 2007). Whilst mitigation of climate change by reducing the currentlevels of greenhouse gases will help future generations, adaptation initiatives are necessary to preparethe current generation for changing and unavoidable climatic conditions.2