Communications

Openreach

Location
South West

Sector
Administration

Summary
Openreach, a BT Group business, recognised that there was a strong correlation between rainfall and the network fault rate. As a result, Openreach have made significant investment in technical fixes, including sealing the network and pressure testing. These fixes have now been implemented and have successfully decoupled the link between rainfall and faults. Following this success, Openreach are now looking to the future and the impact of long term developments in climatic conditions in the UK and the potential impact of these on their network. This includes, for instance, looking at the maximum ice load that telegraph poles are designed to bear.

Siemens

Location
International

Sector
Communications, Manufacturing, Other services

Summary
Siemens developed a portable water purification system, a key market for which will be disaster risk communities. This case study is presented in a literature review on business adaptation to climate change carried out by the Network for Business Sustainability. For further details see Network for Business Sustainability report Business adaptation to climate change.