Briefing: ‘Carbon footprint’ and risk assessments

Abstract

This paper reviews and updates advice from a 2011 paper on how to carry out risk assessments for carbon dioxide emissions. Its central assertion is that engineers and other professionals should assess the risks associated with the ‘carbon footprint’ of each project. As an alternative to forensic data, opinions from engineers are analysed to compile a risk assessment matrix associated with climate change, covering hazards, probabilities, actions and timescales. Probabilities and potential loss of life from global warming are orders of magnitude worse than normal civilian hazards. Timescales are also likely to be much shorter than anticipated, so commonly used whole-life assessments are probably irrelevant. Risk assessments allow direct analysis of the dangers associated with global warming. Output from the risk assessment in the form of mitigation and action are discussed in the light of an increasing need for resilient design and can be used to weigh up the relative merits of adaptation and mitigation.