Top 67 climate-proofing solutions for buildings and cities rated

As climate change continues to intensify, its impacts on the built environment are becoming impossible to ignore.

From heatwaves and droughts to heavy rainfall and wildfires, these hazards are not only disrupting lives but also causing significant economic losses. In response, innovative strategies are being developed to make buildings, cities and territories more resilient. However, assessing the pros and cons of each can be costly, time-consuming and complex.

With this in mind, the MULTICLIMACT project has published a comprehensive review that sheds light on the challenges and opportunities for 67 energy and water interventions that can help “climate-proof” the built environment. The paper, Energy and Water Interventions That Contribute to the Climate-Proofing of Buildings on Multiple Scales: A Literature Review, was published in Buildings journal.

Key highlights

• The urgency of climate-proofing: Climate-related events have already caused over €650 billion in economic losses across EU member states between 1980 and 2022, with damages expected to rise in the coming decades. Buildings, which account for 40% of EU energy consumption, are particularly vulnerable due to their age and lack of energy efficiency. Climate-proofing these structures is, therefore, essential to protect lives, reduce economic losses and ensure long-term sustainability.
• A multi-scale approach: The study identifies 67 practical solutions for energy and water resilience across three scales: building, urban and territorial. From nature-based solutions to engineering or infrastructure innovations, the solutions address a range of hazards, including heatwaves, droughts, earthquakes, wildfires, storms and heavy precipitation. Solutions were evaluated based on Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Societal Readiness Level (SRL), among other criteria.
• Examples of energy solutions: The study highlights innovative approaches like renewable energy communities that empower citizens, businesses or local authorities to produce and consume energy locally. Other solutions include passive cooling to increase thermal comfort during heatwaves.
• Examples of water solutions: Water-focused interventions include rainwater harvesting systems for drought-prone areas or permeable pavements that mitigate urban flooding during heavy rainfall. Such measures ensure reliable access to water while reducing vulnerability to extreme weather.

The findings underscore the importance of integrating energy and water resilience into climate adaptation plans at all levels—building, urban, and territorial. By focusing on both mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (enhancing resilience), these measures can help to future-proof communities as well as contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And by adopting these innovative solutions, policymakers, constructors and local authorities can safeguard communities while advancing sustainability goals.

To explore the full list of solutions and their detailed assessments, download the complete paper.

About MULTICLIMACT

MULTICLIMACT (MULTI-faceted CLIMate adaptation ACTions) is an EU-funded project that aims to support citizens and stakeholders in evaluating the built environment and its inhabitants’ resilience against locally relevant natural and climatic hazards and supply chains, as well as to improve their preparedness and responsiveness throughout their lives. 

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