Lessons on climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies for the construction industry from three coastal cities

Abstract

The success of climate change strategies depends on how well mitigation and adaptation measures are implemented. While mitigation has entered mainstream policymaking, adaptation still lags behind in many ways, especially in the case of building and construction industry, one of the biggest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting industries in the world. This is observed and confirmed in this paper in comparing current initiatives in three coastal cities, namely, Miami- Dade, San Francisco and Singapore. The paper argues that mitigation strategies need not start from scratch and that the existing disaster management systems and knowhow could provide a good platform for adaptation programs in the construction sector. © RICS.