EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON INFRASTRUCTURE � CROATIAN PERSPECTIVE

Although the construction sector is aware of climate change, it still does not have sufficient knowledge of its impact on infrastructure and a detailed strategy for possible adaptation and mitigation measures. The strategy for adaptation to climate change in the Republic of Croatia is presented in this paper, with a focus on measures for the construction sector. Croatia is one of the three most vulnerable countries in the European Union, with an estimated highest share of climate change damage in relation to gross national income. Based on the presented climate change projections for Croatia for the period up to 2040 and 2070, an analysis of the impact of various climate parameters on bridges and other infrastructure, including various construction sectors, is presented. In general, the impacts of climate change on infrastructure can be systematized into two groups: extreme weather conditions such as floods, strong winds and storms, which can lead to the collapse of an infrastructure or part of it, and progressive changes such as a gradual increase in air temperature, relative humidity and concentration of greenhouse gases, which will have a long-term impact on shortening the service life of infrastructure. The focus in this paper is on bridges and concrete structures, but the findings presented are also applicable to other infrastructure.