A Framework to Minimise the Impacts of Climate Change on UK Residential Buildings and Occupants

Residential buildings, the bastions of shelter and protection, are facing an escalating threat from climate change. The need to bolster the resilience of UK residential buildings is becoming more urgent, given the nature and frequency of the impact of climate change. This study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-method approach. The first phase involved surveying 313 households, revealing that Climate Change on Buildings (CCB) and Climate Change Measures (CCM) significantly influenced Climate Change on Occupants (CCO). Moreover, climate-positive measures were found to have a significant impact on building occupants. The second phase involved semi-structured interviews with ten UK construction experts to gather insights into the effects of climate change on residential buildings and strategies for mitigation. The findings from both phases underscore the need for government incentives, green loans, and increased stakeholder awareness to mitigate the impacts of climate change. To fully address climate change and improve the quality of life for residents, all stakeholders, including policy makers, construction professionals, and the community, must participate actively in these efforts. Consequently, a framework was developed to minimise the impacts of climate change on UK residential buildings.