ICE Backs ABI Warning of Increased Flood Risk

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is backing a report by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) highlighting the additional cost to consumers of increased flood risk due to climate change.

The report claims that if climate change was not urgently addressed flood risk will increase dramatically, pushing up insurance premiums.

ICE vice president David Balmforth said the financial implications highlighted by the ABI are another reason for urgent action to address climate change. He said planning authorities should consider flooding as a key constraint to development and ensure that new development does not increase the risk of flooding either locally or elsewhere. “A more joined up approach to the delivery of flood risk management is needed where flood resilience is built into urban design, using more resilient materials and construction methods and designing urban areas to accommodate flood water in extreme events.”

The ICE has recently released a joint policy statement with CIWEM, RIBA, RICS, RTPI, RUSI and the Landscape Institute outlining the need for a more joined up approach. It was produced as a guide for the built environment professions as well as government bodies and wider industry.

The Statement can be downloaded at http://www.ice.org.uk/knowledge