An analysis of the impact of increasing climate change on commercial construction, its effect on the market and future strategies by EH SmithIntroductionOne of the frightening environmental concerns is construction increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere resulting from the massive use of fossil fuels. These carbon dioxide covers trap solar radiation, which leads to an increase in the earth's average temperature. In the UK, climate change is likely to result in warmer temperatures, wetter winters and drier summers, as well as higher sea levels resulting in flooding of coastal areas (Boyd et al 1998). As stated in an article (Habitat International 1995) "the construction industry, together with the materials industries that support it, is one of the world's largest exploiters of natural resources, both physical and biological". The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) says that just maintaining existing stock the industry “produces around half of the UK's carbon emissions and the most important action is to improve the energy efficiency of new stock and existing". Buildings consume 40% of energy and produce 40% of CO2 emissions (DTI 2004) to reduce the high level of CO2. EU and UK governments have introduced tougher energy efficiency standards, which will impact building trades; the latter will benefit from an increase in demand for insulation materials, but will also incur additional costs. The key impacts of the commercial construction industry on climate change are that the cement sector alone accounts for 5% of global human-caused CO2 emissions (Piltz 2005), the largest impact being the extraction/production of materials and products chemicals, transporting heavy materials like concrete is energy intensive, but most building materials tend to come from nearby structures. Chemical processes and fuel/electricity use account for the majority of the sector's CO2 emissions. The effect of CO2 emissions (climate change) on the UK merchant builders industry and EH Smith Ltd. The key impacts of climate change on the construction industry; Weather-related impacts: flooding, coastal erosion, subsidence, drainage systems require new construction techniques and materials to withstand adverse weather conditions; influences the choice of site. Finance/insurance cost: The insurance industry is starting to factor climate change impacts into premiums. The sector has yet to put in place systems to discount the mitigation of climate change risks, but could be pushed to do so through initiatives from the construction sector. Businesses will be disrupted due to wetter winters (Kruse 2004) With the new approach to sustainability in place, great opportunities are created for the commercial construction sector.