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Heavy rain pours down from a roof gutter, with water streaming off the edge. Blurred green trees are visible in the background, giving a sense of a rainy day in a natural setting.

Climate Resilience

As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, safety standards continue to evolve to help keep you safer, whether at home, work, or in your community.

What Is the Risk to You?

As the impact of climate change becomes more costly and widespread, safety standards promote climate resilience to help protect you, your home, and your community from increasingly severe and frequent weather events.

By the Numbers

Hover over each stat below to learn about the impact safety standards can have in mitigating extreme weather events.

3 million

deaths attributed to natural disasters in the last 20 years.

In the last 20 years, natural disasters have also caused $50 billion in property losses. Yet, communities continue to expand into disaster-prone areas, including earthquake zones, wildfire zones, coastal areas, and flood plains, this risk will continue to increase.

[Source: ULSE Disaster Preparedness]

36.3 billion

metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere in 2021.

Carbon emissions increase the pace of climate change and related natural disasters. With the right safety standards, we can build homes and communities that can withstand extreme events while also reducing carbon emissions.

[Source: International Energy Agency (IEA)]

60%

of wildfires were caused by lightning and other natural phenomena.

When lightning strikes an object, it can release enough heat to ignite a tree or other fuels. Although lightning-caused fires cannot be prevented, there are ways of predicting where they might start. The risk from natural fires can also be reduced.

[Source: ULSE Disaster Preparedness]

22

standards have been updated to include requirements that improve the durability of building materials and public infrastructure against environmental conditions.

ULSE has approximately 80 safety standards that help make homes, buildings, and communities more resilient to different forms of weather, such as heavy wind and snow loads, extreme temperatures, fires, or UV exposure.

Keep reading to explore examples of the power of prevention from people just like you.

Standards in Action

A safety standard is like an instruction manual put together by experts to guide the testing of products, services, and systems to make them safer for you.

Safety standards support more resilient homes and communities to keep you safe as natural events become increasingly severe.

Developing Standards to Reduce and Manage Wildfire Impacts

UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), selected by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), is leading a national initiative to develop two National Standards of Canada that support communities in assessing wildfire risk, strengthening preparedness, and reducing vulnerability to fire events.

Over the next two years, this work will deliver coordinated, practical standards addressing both building-level risks and community-level planning. These standards will support safer design and construction practices, improved land use planning, emergency preparedness, and public outreach in WUI areas.

Learn More
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Climate Resilience Safety Resources

We are committed to improving the safety of everyone vulnerable to climate change threats — and it starts with education. Explore these resources to equip yourself with the knowledge you need to live more safely.

  • Thick smoke and bright flames rise from a wildfire burning through a dense forest, with a green clearing and trees in the foreground under a hazy sky.

    National Wildland-Urban Interface Initiative

    UL Standards & Engagement is leading a national initiative to develop two National Standards of Canada that support communities in…

    Read More
  • Flyer titled “Advancing Climate Adaptation Through Flexible, Standards-Based Strategies and Solutions” features a summary about UL Standards & Engagement’s workshop on climate adaptation, with a photo of two workers in hard hats on site.

    Advancing Climate Adaptation Through Flexible, Standards-Based Strategies and Solutions

    As an official developer of National Standards of Canada, accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, UL Standards & Engagement…

    Read More
  • A large group of people in formal attire poses for a photo in front of a banner that reads "Standards Supporting International Trade and Climate Change Adaptation" at a conference event in a spacious hall.

    Strengthening International Collaboration and a Climate-Resilient Future Through Safety Standards

    Discover how global experts convened in Hanoi to discuss the pivotal role of harmonized safety standards in enhancing climate resilience…

    Read More
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Frequently Asked Questions

Education can be one of our greatest assets in fighting risks associated with climate change. Continue reading for answers to common questions about climate resilience and safety standards and ways to mitigate your risk.

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most commonly asked

What role do standards play in making buildings safer during wildfires?

Standards like UL 263, the Standard for Fire Tests of Structural and Construction Elements for Buildings, evaluate the fire protection of building components like columns, beams, ceilings, floors, and walls. The standard requires materials to be subjected to fire exposure tests, which are controlled to achieve specified temperatures throughout a specified time period, simulating fires that occur in commercial buildings, such as offices, hospitals and schools. 

What makes a building disaster-prepared?

Building disaster preparedness involves containment and passive protection to limit fire spread, structural integrity measures to withstand disasters, early warning systems, emergency communication systems, following established building safety standards and regulations, and regular testing and compliance with fire safety requirements.

Spotlight

Climate Resilience Safety Standards

Safety standards have the power to save lives. Explore the standards that improve the safety of the built environment amidst climate change.

UL 263, Fire Tests of Structural and Construction Elements for Buildings

UL 263 provides specifications and test methods to help ensure columns, beams, ceilings, floors, and walls are built to achieve specific performance under various conditions for fire resistance.

View Standard

CAN/ULC 101, Standard Methods of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials

CAN/ULC 101 is one of 22 standards that were updated in support of Canada’s Climate-Resilient Buildings and Core Public Infrastructure Initiative. These standards were updated to include requirements that address the impacts of climate change for buildings and public infrastructure.

View Standard

UL 1897, Uplift Tests for Roof Covering Systems

The test method specified in this standard is intended to provide uplift resistance data for the evaluation of the attachment of roof covering systems to roof decks by using differential air pressures.

View Standard

Our catalog includes more than 1,700 safety standards and documents that are regularly updated and added to. Click below to keep exploring how our standards are making the world safer for you.

View All Safety Standards

Get Involved

The best standards are made possible by diverse voices and deep collaboration. Be part of the process by helping inform the next generation of standards.

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Technical Committees

Each TC is a diverse group of experts representing a broad range of perspectives and interests, including consumers, manufacturers, regulators, supply chain professionals, and more. 

As a TC member, you will review proposals for new or revised standards and work collaboratively to achieve consensus through balloting in our transparent process.

Get Involved
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Stakeholders

Stakeholders can submit, review, and comment on proposals for new standards or revisions to existing standards. While these individuals cannot vote, the TC considers their input during the standards voting process. Since standards affect everyone, all are welcome to participate as stakeholders. Register online through our Collaborative Standards Development System, CSDS.

Get Involved