Climate change impact assessment
Consider climate-related risks, effects and adaptation relevant to the development. Establish the assessment scope and design information needed for a useful review.
Explore climate change impact assessmentACP Consultants · Climate & Sustainability
Design with tomorrow's conditions in mind.
Climate and sustainability assessments address connected but different questions: how a development responds to a changing climate, and how its energy and sustainability approach supports the proposal. Find the appropriate ACP assessment for your planning needs.
Find your starting point
Resilience, energy or both?
Begin with the question the planning evidence must answer. Climate risk and adaptation differ from a development's energy strategy, although the design choices can interact.
Energy & sustainability statements
Explain the proposed energy and sustainability approach. Match the statement to the development and the relevant local planning requirements.
Explore energy & sustainability statementsA practical selection guide
Choose the right assessment focus
| Project question | Assessment focus | Useful information |
|---|---|---|
| How could changing climate conditions affect the development? | Climate risk and adaptation | Site context, intended use, design life and relevant climate information |
| How will the proposal address energy and sustainability requirements? | Energy and sustainability statement | Design proposals, energy approach and local policy requirements |
| How do these choices influence other parts of the design? | Coordinated specialist input | Consistent layouts and assumptions across the project team |
The document name alone does not define the full scope. Check the planning authority's requirements and agree what the assessment will cover.
From evidence to design
Join up the design choices early.
Building orientation, shading, ventilation and landscape design can affect energy demand, comfort and resilience. Review those decisions together rather than leaving the statement until the design is fixed. Keep the underlying assumptions clear so the assessment can be updated when proposals change.
Clarify
Identify the policy question and the development's circumstances.
Assess
Review relevant risks, design information and proposed measures.
Integrate
Explain how the findings influence the proposal and supporting evidence.
Connected evidence
Explore the related questions.
Before you commission
Your questions, clarified.
Is a sustainability statement the same as a climate assessment?
No. A sustainability statement may address the proposal's energy and wider sustainability approach. A climate assessment focuses on climate-related effects and risks within its agreed scope.
Does every project need both documents?
Not automatically. Requirements depend on the proposal, location and applicable policies. Share the authority's request so the necessary scope can be considered.
Does a climate assessment replace flood risk or drainage evidence?
No. Related climate considerations do not replace a separately required Flood Risk Assessment or drainage strategy. Those disciplines need their own appropriate evidence and specialist scope.
Further reading for England: Planning practice guidance. Requirements elsewhere in the UK may differ. Confirm the applicable requirements for your site.
Your next step
Discuss climate and sustainability evidence
Include the site location, development type, current drawings, local policy request and any existing energy or climate studies.
You do not need a finished scope to start the discussion. Explain the decision you need to make and share the information you have.