Climate change and property security
📍Anticipate London Exhibition, UK
📆 3 December 2024
Overview
Andrew Tollinton, CEO of SIRV joined a panel hosted by BBC journalist David McClelland to discuss ‘Climate change and property security, innovations for addressing environmental risks’. Other panelists include:
- Alisa Sultmane, Head of Security and Emergency Planning for Keolis Amey Docklands.
- David Alfrey: Partner at Addleshaw Goddard LLP.
Climate change and property security: Innovation for resilience
Intro
Climate change is no longer a distant problem; it is already reshaping how organisations manage property, security, and resilience. Floods, extreme heat, and power outages pose direct risks to operations, infrastructure and people. At Anticipate London 2024, experts from law, transport and technology came together to discuss how businesses can respond to environmental disruption. This article summarises the discussion, providing insights and practical steps for security leaders who must prepare for an uncertain climate future.
Why climate change is a security issue
When people hear “climate change”, they often think of rising global temperatures or melting ice caps. But for security practitioners and property owners, the implications are more immediate and practical. Extreme weather can close transport networks, disrupt utilities, or even damage the structural integrity of buildings.
David Alfrey, Partner at Addleshaw Goddard LLP, reminded the audience that climate risk is not abstract. In Pakistan, floods displaced over 33 million people and destroyed critical infrastructure. The consequences were not only humanitarian but also commercial: property values collapsed, insurance systems strained, and long-term resilience was tested.
Climate change therefore represents a security challenge. It is about protecting people, property and business continuity against threats that are becoming more frequent and more severe.
Lessons from real-world incidents
The panel shared examples of climate events that highlight the scale of the challenge:
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Pakistan floods: A humanitarian disaster affecting tens of millions, showing how quickly infrastructure can be overwhelmed.
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Spain floods (2023–24): Weeks of disruption exposed the fragility of roads, rail and utilities when severe weather strikes.
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London Olympics: Though not a climate event, the Games created a blueprint for resilience planning on a large scale. Emergency services, transport operators and security teams rehearsed for a wide range of scenarios, leaving a legacy of stronger preparedness across the city.
These incidents underline the interconnected nature of risk. When infrastructure fails, it is rarely an isolated event. Transport delays cascade into supply chain disruption; power outages compromise data centres; damaged buildings displace communities. Climate change multiplies these risks, making resilience planning essential.
Innovation across law, operations and AI
The panel reflected that no single discipline can solve climate security challenges. Progress requires innovation across legal frameworks, operational planning and technology.
Legal perspective
David Alfrey noted that financial and governance systems are not yet equipped for catastrophic urban events. If London were to suffer large-scale flooding, the capital available within banks and insurers might cover only half of the rebuilding cost. That leaves society exposed. Legal structures must evolve to address this gap, ensuring accountability and funding for resilience.
Operational perspective
Alisa Sultmane of Keolis Amey Docklands brought the frontline view. Transport operators deal with the immediate consequences of weather disruption. Flooded tracks, disabled lifts and disrupted timetables are daily risks. Preparedness comes from drills, training and escalation protocols. The lessons from the Olympics still apply: effective resilience requires coordination across agencies and regular rehearsal.
Technology perspective
Andrew Tollinton, Institute of Strategic Risk Management, focused on the potential of AI. AI agents can instantly surface standard operating procedures (SOPs) when incidents occur, guiding staff to follow the right process. Importantly, these systems also create audit trails that demonstrate compliance with frameworks such as ISO 27001, GDPR and Martyn’s Law.
But Andrew Tollinton stressed that AI must be governed carefully. Generative systems can provide speed and scale, but organisations must ensure proportionality, transparency and oversight. Without governance, AI risks eroding trust.
Practical steps for security leaders
The panel distilled several practical lessons for organisations:
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Treat climate resilience as core business risk. It is not a CSR project but a survival issue.
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Map vulnerabilities. Review building fabric, utilities, supply chains and interdependencies.
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Invest in digital tools. Platforms such as AI agents, mapping systems and digital report logs connect intelligence to action.
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Build partnerships. Legal, operational and technical teams must collaborate rather than work in silos.
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Prioritise governance and auditability. Regulators, insurers and stakeholders will demand evidence of resilience planning.
Resilience is not about eliminating risk but about preparing to adapt, respond and recover.
Frequently asked questions
How does climate change affect property security?
It increases risks such as flooding, severe weather and power outages. These can damage infrastructure, halt operations and put lives at risk.
What industries are most exposed to environmental risks?
Transport, healthcare, financial services, insurance, pharmaceuticals, retail and events are particularly vulnerable due to infrastructure and people reliance.
Can AI improve climate resilience in security operations?
Yes. AI can deliver SOPs in real time, check compliance, and produce audit records to reassure regulators and insurers.
What lessons can London learn from global flood events?
The floods in Pakistan and Spain demonstrate that resilience investment must be systemic. London must prepare governance, infrastructure and communities for potential city-scale disruption.
How do insurers view climate risk for property?
Insurers are increasingly factoring climate risk into pricing and coverage. Some estimates suggest only half the funds needed to rebuild London after catastrophic flooding are currently available.
What role does governance play in AI adoption?
Governance ensures AI is safe, proportionate and transparent. It protects against misuse, maintains trust, and enables long-term deployment.
Closing thoughts
Climate change is here and its impacts are already being felt. For security and resilience professionals, the priority is not whether climate change will affect operations but how well prepared their organisations are.
As the Anticipate London panel made clear, innovation in law, operations and AI is beginning to provide solutions. But preparation cannot be delayed. Businesses that treat climate resilience as core strategy, not a side project, will be better positioned to withstand the challenges of an uncertain future.
Transcript: Climate Change and Property Security — Innovations for Addressing Environmental Risks
Introduction
(David McClelland, Moderator)
Welcome, everyone, to the Think Tank here at Anticipate London 2024. Thank you for joining us. Unlike the big keynote sessions, this is designed as a more intimate conversation — a chance to sit back, think, and discuss challenges in depth.
Today, we’re looking at climate change and property security — and we have some fantastic guests:
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David Alfrey, Partner, Addleshaw Goddard LLP
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Alisa Sultmane, Head of Emergency & Security Planning, Keolis Amey Docklands
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Andrew Tollinton, Chair of AI in Risk Management, Institute of Strategic Risk Management
Setting the Scene: Climate Change as a Security Challenge
(David McClelland)
Climate change isn’t only an environmental issue — it’s also a security and resilience challenge. Extreme weather, floods, and infrastructure failure all have direct consequences on property, operations, and safety. Today we’ll explore how innovation — legal, operational, and technological — can help address these risks.
Speaker Insights
David Alfrey (Addleshaw Goddard LLP)
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Shared experience from Pakistan, where 33 million people were impacted by floods, devastating infrastructure and property.
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Highlighted that climate risk isn’t theoretical — it’s already reshaping real estate markets worldwide.
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Emphasised that this is both a planetary problem and a people problem — communities must adapt, and adaptation comes at a cost.
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Warned that legal and financial systems aren’t yet structured to manage a “full rebuild” if a city like London faced catastrophic damage.
Alisa Sultmane (Keolis Amey Docklands)
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Brought the perspective of mass transport and urban resilience.
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Stressed that transport operators are on the frontline of climate change, facing risks from flooding, severe weather, and power disruption.
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Explained how preparedness and drills are crucial: from flooding to evacuation planning.
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Shared lessons from the London Olympics — showing how large-scale resilience planning can shape long-term operational security.
Andrew Tollinton (Institute of Strategic Risk Management)
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Discussed the role of AI in risk management.
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Highlighted how AI agents (like Cal) can surface Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in real time during disruptions.
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Pointed out that AI isn’t just about automation — it provides auditability and compliance needed for governance frameworks.
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Stressed that with generative AI, the challenge is not hype but governance, proportionality, and safe deployment.
Panel Discussion: Risks and Solutions
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On Infrastructure: Climate change could cause building materials to fail — e.g., concrete not holding under temperature shifts — creating systemic risks.
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On Insurance & Finance: Major UK banks have estimated that only 50% of the capital required to rebuild London exists within current structures.
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On Society: Climate resilience is about protecting not only assets, but communities and people.
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On Action: It’s not enough to plant trees outside a building and call it climate action — resilience requires deep structural investment and governance.
Closing Reflections
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David McClelland: reminded the audience that while climate change is daunting, the conversation must focus on solutions that scale.
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Panel consensus: innovation in law, technology, and emergency planning will define how cities and businesses survive climate disruption.
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Andrew Tollinton: AI is already transforming resilience practices — but organisations must adopt it safely, with governance and long-term trust in mind.
