Asset maintenance: a new complexity

Maintenance is no longer a linear process of inspections and repairs. Climate change introduces cascading risks: cutting down trees to prevent storm damage can increase heat stress on tracks and destabilise embankments. Maintenance must now account for these interdependencies.

Technology offers solutions. AI and drones are accelerating inspections, with some organisations reporting up to 50% efficiency gains. Nature-based solutions, like TfL’s wildflower verges, are also proving their worth, reducing maintenance costs while enhancing biodiversity.

But challenges remain. Legacy systems and siloed data hinder innovation. Educating senior leaders about the nuanced demands of climate-aware maintenance is critical to securing the necessary investment.

The role of data

Data forms the bedrock of resilience. Without robust, integrated systems, organisations find it difficult to assess asset performance across varying climate scenarios. There is a clear need for improved data and systems to enable smarter decision-making and more effective investment planning. While AI-driven inspections and performance modelling are helping to narrow existing gaps, issues with data quality and the ability for individuals to adapt and respond to more digital ways of working, continue to pose significant challenges.

Policy and regulation

Resilience cannot be achieved in isolation. A supportive policy and regulatory environment is essential. There is a strong case for mandatory climate risk assessments across all organisations, alongside the need for aligned funding and policy frameworks that enable non-traditional solutions. Regulation must continue to evolve to support nature-based approaches and long-term resilience planning.

“We need to have aligned policy, and appropriate funding arrangement, to get the maximum benefits from collaboration across client and industry sectors.”

Andrew Pearce, Environment Agency

Community engagement

Although resilience is often focused on technical delivery, it is also increasingly becoming a social issue. Public understanding and support are vital. Drawing parallels with successful air-quality campaigns in London, it is evident that clear messaging can galvanise communities. A resilient future must be co-created with the people it serves, integrating nature, infrastructure and community priorities.

Resilience as purpose

Resilience should not be viewed as an optional consideration; it is the core purpose behind the assets we create and manage. The health of these assets must be measured by their ability to perform under strain. Maintenance strategies need to be forward-thinking, anticipating complexity before issues arise. Effective management requires a comprehensive, strategic approach, underpinned by reliable data, supportive policy frameworks, and active community involvement.

As organisations transition towards becoming climate-resilient utilities, the nature of the challenge extends beyond technical solutions. There is a need to embed resilience deeply into every decision, design and investment, making it an integral part of organisational culture.