Guidance

Chemicals: examples for your adapting to climate change risk assessment

Updated 17 May 2023

Applies to England

Possible impacts and mitigation measures to consider when preparing your climate change risk assessment.

Summer daily maximum temperature

This may be around 7°C higher compared to average summer temperatures now, with the potential to reach extreme temperatures as high as over 40°C with increasing frequency based on today’s values.

Impact 1

Potential increase in temperature may result in expansion and stress of plant, pipework and fittings.

The mitigation for this could be regular inspection and preventative maintenance of plant and equipment.

Impact 2

There could be an increase in dust emissions from the site.

The mitigation for this could be:

• regular site cleaning and use of dust suppression systems
• making sure appropriate fugitive or diffuse emission plans are in place

Impact 3

There could be an increase in odour from the site.

The mitigation for this could be to make sure:

• appropriate abatement is in place and maintained effectively
• an appropriate odour management plan is in place

Impact 4

There could be an increase in fugitive or diffuse emissions from the site.

The mitigation for this could be to make sure an appropriate fugitive or diffuse emissions plan is in place.

Impact 5

There could be an increase in water consumed for cooling purposes.

The mitigation for this could be to consider:

• how water can be cleaned and recirculated for reuse on site
• alternative cooling systems

Impact 6

There could be a possible increase in energy consumption due to added pumping of cooling water around site.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• assess how efficient the current cooling system is
• propose upgrades or modifications where necessary

Winter daily maximum temperature

This could be 4°C more than the current average with the potential for more extreme temperatures, both warmer and colder than present.

Impact 1

In extreme cold weather, risk of:

• failure of trace heating systems
• freezing of cooling water, resulting in blockages – particularly on long pipelines and storage in exposed areas

This could also lead to process failures.

The mitigation for this could be to regularly inspect and maintain insulation, particularly on pipework and equipment in exposed areas of the site.

Impact 2

There could be an increased risk of pipework ruptures, affecting:

• boiler condensate
• process water
• cooling water
• effluent systems

This in turn may lead to process interruption.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• consider added insulation on pipework containing water
• review operating procedures to make sure pipework is not left full of static water when not in use
• identify any potential dead-legs where static water may be held up

Impact 3

Failure of pH control due to caustic systems solidifying (such as effluent treatment).

The mitigation for this could be reviewing the capability of caustic systems to remain liquid at expected colder temperatures.

Impact 4

Frozen onsite roadways may restrict access for staff and emergency vehicles.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• regularly inspect and maintain roadways during winter and remove any standing water
• make sure grit is available to treat road surfaces

Impact 5

There could be damage to site infrastructure from snow-loading over extended periods.

The mitigation for this could be to review the design of structures to withstand increased loadings.

Daily extreme rainfall

Daily rainfall intensity could increase by up to 20% on today’s values.

Impact 1

Flooding could lead to increased site surface water and flash flooding.

The mitigation for this would be to make sure:

• suitable measures are in place for the management of expected surface water and flood waters
• drainage systems are inspected and maintained
• external areas where wastes are handled or stored are provided with contained drainage
• the site drainage system and effluent treatment plant has sufficient storage or treatment capacity

Impact 2

The site may experience reduced access or egress due to site flooding.

The mitigation for this could be to make sure there are suitable alternative transport routes to and from the site.

Average winter rainfall

Average winter rainfall may increase by over 40% on today’s averages.

Impact 1

This could lead to overland flow or groundwater flooding.

The mitigation for this would be to make sure suitable measures are in place for the management of anticipated overland flow or groundwater flooding.

Impact 2

Increased risk of flooding and associated impacts, as previously identified.

The mitigation for this would be to prepare flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

The plan should include:

• risk assessment of process equipment and services at greatest risk from flooding
• provision of emergency pumps to remove floodwater and identification of lowest risk location for discharge of floodwaters
• protection of control and electrical systems
• identification and protection of flat bottom tanks at risk of floating in floodwater

Sea level rise

Sea level rise which could be as much as 0.6m higher compared to today’s level.

Impact 1

If located near the coast a site could experience increased:

• risk of flooding and associated impacts
• corrosion due to increase in saltwater spray

The mitigation for this would be to prepare flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

The plan should include:

• risk assessment of process equipment and services at greatest risk from flooding
• provision of emergency pumps to remove floodwater and identification of lowest risk location for discharge of floodwaters
• protection of control and electrical systems
• identification and protection of flat bottom tanks at risk of floating in floodwater

To prevent corrosion, measures could include making sure that plant or equipment prone to corrosion are:

• protected, such as by being painted with resistant coating
• regularly inspected and maintained

Drier summers

Summers could see potentially up to 40% less rain than now.

Impact 1

Potential increased use or reliance on mains water for dust suppression and cleaning.

The mitigation for this could be to make sure:

• measures are in place to review and minimise water use and to maximise collection and use of rainfall
• mains water capacity is adequate, taking into account reduced availability of rainwater for activities such as dust suppression and cleaning

Impact 2

There is potential for increase in dust emissions from site.

The mitigation for this would be to make sure dust suppression systems are regularly used and cleaned.

River flow

The flow in the watercourses could be 50% more than now at its peak and 80% less than now at its lowest.

Impact 1

Reduced dilution available in receiving watercourse for discharge of effluent, resulting in increased pollution.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• review the environmental risk assessment for discharge to water from on-site effluent treatment
• check existing environmental risk assessment to make sure low river flow used in assessment remains valid – if not, discuss with Environment Agency (local site inspector and water quality team) and carry out an updated environmental risk assessment

If added impact is predicted for the receiving watercourse, the effluent treatment process may need to be reviewed and improved.

Storms

Storms could see a change in frequency and intensity. The unique combination of increased wind speeds, increased rainfall, and lightning during these events provides the potential for more extreme storm impacts.

Storms and high winds could damage building structures with increased potential for fugitive emissions.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• review the design of vulnerable structures and buildings
• review wind loading calculations, providing reinforcement if necessary
• maintain building integrity