To say we live in interesting times seems a bit of an understatement in 2025. Aside from global events, the UK is increasingly experiencing impacts of climate change with related extreme weather events (EWE), such as heatwaves and flooding. These are exacerbating existing geo-related risks and causing damage, both directly and indirectly. The UK Government and the devolved administrations are committed to responding to the risks posed by climate change not least as part of the transition to a net zero nature positive economy.  This presents both challenges and opportunities for the brownfield and construction sectors.

SiLCs Climate Change and Sustainability (CC&S) Sub-group was launched in March 2023 with the encouragement of then PTP Chair Dr Tom Henman, to address a potential gap and look ahead to what SiLCs would need to be able to advise on in the future.  We had no idea how quickly this would become mainstream as an essential and indeed urgent part of our work; LCRM now embeds the principles of sustainability and the need throughout to consider climate change when assessing and managing risks from land contamination; other standards being updated and new technical guidance increasingly reference the need to consider sustainability and climate change issues.

The brownfield sector has a key role to play in achieving more sustainable development, adapting to climate change and enhancing biodiversity. Those of you who attended the excellent 2025 SiLC Annual Forum will have heard the insightful presentation by Andrew Fellows of RSK Geosciences on their work developing CIRIA good practice guidance for the development sector focussing on how climate change and EWE affect geo-related risks. The related survey clearly highlighted awareness of and concern about the impact of processes such as flooding, erosion and slope stability that are made worse by EWE.  In the finance sector, asset owners and insurers are increasingly concerned about what they term the ‘physical risks’ arising from climate change and potential for the stranding (unanticipated or premature write-downs, devaluations or conversion to liabilities) of assets not to mention the legal risks related to changes in policy and regulation.

The CC&S Sub–group’s principal aim is to build knowledge, capacity and capability in climate change and sustainability considerations for land condition within the SiLC community whilst supporting the development of and promoting good practice in sustainable development, aiding the UK’s journey to Net Zero.  It also aims to link with complementary groups within SiLCs member bodies (including AGS) and beyond to share knowledge and avoid duplication of effort. The Sub-group is currently collating resources to help equip SiLCs for the challenges they will be facing, be that to address climate change impacts, support material reuse, or reduce GHG emissions arising from remediation schemes.  These resources will be accessible to all SiLCs through our new website:  Specialist in Land Condition Register Ltd (SiLC) when it is launched.

The CC&S Sub–group also invites speakers working at the leading edge of this area. For example, at our February 2025 meeting, Dr David Manning, Professor of Soil Science at Newcastle University presented his pioneering work using enhanced rock weathering, particularly of silicates, and the finest fractions of crushed concrete to improve carbon capture in soils.  His work has exciting potential for brownfield developments as it also improves plant growth and earthworm counts.

We want SiLCs to be at the forefront of sustainable development, combating and adapting to climate change and reversing nature loss while contributing to growth and resilience.

If you are interested in knowing more, please do get in touch with either Claire Dickinson or Mark Hill via silc@silc.org.uk and we’d encourage all SiLCs to engage with the group.

We are keen to hear about and showcase the great work being done by SiLCs in this area.

Article provided by Mark Hill (The Pension Regulator – ESG, Climate & Sustainability Strategy, Policy and Analysis)