BREEAM Webinar Series: Retrofit-Ready for a Climate Resilient Future

On 28 May 2026, BRE continued its webinar series with Retrofit-Ready for a Climate Resilient Future, chaired by James Fisher, BRE, and featuring a panel of expert speakers.

The session explored how resilience and climate adaptation are being strengthened within the BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-Out (RFO) framework. As climate risks continue to intensify, resilience has become a key priority for building owners, designers and asset managers. The webinar highlighted how BREEAM Version 7 enhances both physical and human resilience, helping projects prepare for future climate challenges while supporting alignment with global resilience and sustainability frameworks.

If you missed this webinar, the recording is now available for you to view.

James Fisher
Head of Strategic Partnerships, BRE

"Climate impacts are no longer future scenarios; they are already affecting buildings, infrastructure and communities around the world. Resilience is therefore no longer simply an environmental consideration. It influences finance, governance, operational continuity, occupier wellbeing and ultimately long-term asset value. As the industry increasingly focuses on adaptation alongside mitigation, organisations need a clearer understanding of how to assess risks and respond effectively. BREEAM Version 7 provides a structured framework that helps project teams move beyond reactive approaches, embedding resilience into decision-making and supporting assets that can continue to perform in a changing climate."

Sameer Pethe
Principal Consultant – Resilience, BRE

"Most existing buildings were designed for a very different risk context to the one we face today. Resilience is not about eliminating risk entirely, but about understanding potential hazards, preparing for them, withstanding disruption and recovering effectively. BREEAM Version 7 brings together resilience considerations into a single framework, helping project teams move from risk screening and assessment through to implementation and long-term adaptation. By taking a more systematic approach, organisations can improve building performance, strengthen resilience outcomes and contribute positively to the wider communities and environments in which their assets operate."

Hannah Dixon
Architect & Passivhaus Designer, Progress in Practice

"One of the most effective ways to improve resilience is through a fabric-first approach. Measures such as high levels of insulation, airtightness, high-performance glazing and effective solar shading can reduce energy demand while helping buildings remain comfortable during periods of extreme weather. Resilience and energy performance are closely connected. By improving the building fabric first, we can reduce reliance on mechanical systems, lower operational energy use and create healthier, more comfortable environments for occupants. These interventions not only improve performance today but help future-proof buildings against the challenges of a changing climate."

Andrew Tucker
Water Demand Reduction Manager, Thames Water

"Water resilience is becoming one of the most significant challenges facing the built environment. Population growth, climate change and increasing pressure on water resources mean that reducing demand can no longer be viewed as optional. Improving water efficiency not only helps conserve resources but also strengthens resilience to future droughts and supply pressures. Through better design, smarter technologies and a greater focus on demand reduction, organisations can significantly reduce consumption while supporting long-term sustainability goals. Ultimately, the most sustainable litre of water is the one we never need to abstract, treat or supply."

Yetunde Abdul
Director of Industry Transformation, UK Green Building Council

"For many years, the built environment's focus has rightly been on reducing emissions, but adaptation is becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation. Climate resilience must sit alongside mitigation if we are to create places that can continue to thrive in the future. The challenge now is understanding how we apply resilience thinking to existing buildings and communities while continuing to accelerate the transition to net zero. By bringing together adaptation, mitigation and long-term performance considerations, the industry has an opportunity to create buildings that are not only lower carbon but also better prepared for future climate risks."

Gail Warrander
Senior Urban Resilience Specialist, Asian Development Bank

"Across many parts of the world, climate adaptation is no longer a future concern; it is a present-day necessity. Communities are already experiencing the impacts of extreme heat, flooding, water stress and other climate-related challenges. This makes resilience an increasingly important consideration in how we design, manage, and retrofit our buildings and infrastructure. While the specific risks may vary by region, the need to anticipate change and build adaptive capacity is universal. Successful resilience strategies are those that recognise both immediate challenges and long-term uncertainties, helping communities and assets remain effective over time."

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