£400k competition to adapt UK's infrastructure

Defra has launched a competition for UK engineers, scientists and designers to come up with innovative ways to help protect UK infrastructure from the effects of climate change

The competition, which has a £400,000 prize fund, will provide the winners with funding to develop pioneering solutions to protect infrastructure such as roads, airports, power stations, water-treatment plants and wi-fi networks against a changing climate.

Winners will be awarded up to £100,000 for each idea that addresses the risks identified in the environment department’s climate change risk assessment, which was published in January.

It found that flood risks to buildings and infrastructure are anticipated to rise to between £2.1 billion and £12 billion by the 2080s.

At the same time, energy demands for cooling buildings and ICT equipment will increase as temperatures rise.

Applications close on 7 September 2012.