On 28 October 2025, industry leaders gathered for a dynamic workshop hosted by Constructing Excellence and the Construction Clients Leadership Group to explore the integration of climate resilience into the BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-Out (RFO) Version 7 framework. Led by Sameer Pethe, BRE’s Principle Consultant on Resilience, the session brought together professionals from across construction, healthcare, academia, and local government to discuss strategies for future-proofing buildings against climate risks.
The workshop opened with participant introductions, revealing a diverse range of perspectives and readiness levels regarding climate resilience. From Ashford Borough Council’s landscape-led strategies to NHS England’s critical infrastructure planning, attendees shared how their organisations are navigating the resilience journey. A recurring theme was the need for holistic approaches that balance sustainability, risk mitigation, and operational continuity.
Sameer Pethe presented the new BREEAM resilience framework, designed to guide building professionals through five actionable steps:
- High-Level Risk Screening – Early identification of climate and natural hazard risks before site commitment.
- Detailed Risk Assessment – In-depth analysis by experts to determine adaptation needs and thresholds.
- Implementation of Resilience Measures – Practical interventions such as flood defences, heat protection, and backup systems.
- Protection from Human Error and Malicious Damage – Safeguarding critical elements through fire and security assessments.
- Local Resilience Contribution – Enhancing community resilience via surface water management and urban heat island reduction.
The framework aligns with global standards including TCFD, EU Taxonomy, and ISO guidelines, and aims to support “joined-up retrofits” that combine decarbonisation with climate adaptation. The framework highlights the importance of nature-based solutions and integrated design to maximise co-benefits across resilience, biodiversity, and sustainability.
Discussion highlighted practical challenges in implementing resilience measures. -Some client organisations noted sector-specific challenges such as healthcare’s reliance on backup systems and the tension between mechanical ventilation for infection control and overheating risks. The challenges of balancing ambition with budget constraints were referenced, while the opportunity was highlighted to link resilience to embodied carbon, advocating for whole-life carbon accounting. Participants also explored the role of systems thinking in resilience planning.
The workshop concluded with a call to action: to embed resilience into mainstream practice through education, collaboration, and standardisation. While resilience credits in BREEAM RFO V7 are not yet mandatory, they offer a clear roadmap for clients and assessors to begin integrating climate adaptation into refurbishment projects.
As climate risks intensify, the BREEAM resilience framework represents a timely and practical tool for the built environment sector to enhance preparedness, protect asset value, and contribute to community resilience.
Get Involved
This session was held as part of the Constructing Excellence Climate Action group. To find out more about this group and their activities, visit the Climate Action page. Alternatively, find out about our other groups here or explore our upcoming events on the events page.
