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Building Resilience: Preparing for an Unpredictable Future

By Better Buildings Beat Team on Aug 02, 2021

Resilience is the ability to resist being affected by or bounce back from an extreme or disastrous event, and it is increasingly important for all building owners. 87% of organizations polled in the 2019 EEI survey indicated that resilience is very or extremely important when considering future investments – almost a 20% increase over 2018.

Existing buildings and new infrastructure can take action to mitigate risk. A comprehensive approach engages a response to both the physical risks and the associated risks of cultural, social, and economic shifts as climate impacts worsen.

  • Physical risks include decreased passive survivability, destruction of facilities, loss of ability to employ, and disruption of production.
  • Associated risks include dependency on electrical grid or natural gas transmission, exposure to event-driven price spikes, and liability for damage to others.

To help address these and other challenges, DOE created the Efficiency-Resilience Nexus as part of the Better Buildings Solution Center. Several tools are available for those considering retrofitting or constructing a new building:

 

To learn more about resilience and develop strategies for your buildings, visit the Better Buildings Solution Center and use the Resilience page to find solutions specific to your organization’s goals.