Climate Change and Construction: The Evolving Landscape of Disputes and Regulation

Climate Change and Construction: The Evolving Landscape of Disputes and Regulation" explores how climate change is transforming construction disputes and professional practice. Please join us for lunch and networking following the Q&A.

 

Attendees will leave with a clear map of emerging climate‑risk exposures, practical insights on greener arbitration options and a checklist of questions to ask when drafting or litigating the next generation of construction projects. Our speakers intend to cover the following:

 

Regulatory Challenges and Compliance

1. Examination of the UK's evolving climate regulations affecting construction
2. Analysis of BREEAM standards, Building Regulations, and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
3. Discussion of how regulatory compliance is creating new dispute triggers

Landmark Climate Litigation

1. Impact of precedent-setting cases like Verein Klimaseniorinnen Schweiz and Asmania v Holcim
2. How climate litigation principles are being applied to construction disputes
3. Emerging liability frameworks for climate-related damages

Professional Liability in a Changing Climate

1. Exploration of how climate change redefines professional standards of care
2. Analysis of the "frontier of knowledge" principle (IBA v EMI and BICC)
3. Why "industry standard practice" defenses may fail (Martlet Homes v Mulalley)

Sustainable Dispute Resolution

1. Practical implementation of the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations
2. Balancing environmental considerations with procedural fairness
3. Documents-only arbitrations and due process concerns (Wan Sern Metal Industries)

Contractual Adaptations

1. How standard form contracts (FIDIC, JCT, NEC) are responding to climate imperatives
2. New allocation of climate-related risks in construction agreements
3. Innovations in sustainability provisions and compliance mechanisms

Future-Proofing Construction Practices

1. Strategies for mitigating climate-related dispute risks
2. Developing expertise to meet evolving client needs
3. Preparing for increased scrutiny of sustainability credentials