Climate change has become one of the most pressing global environmental challenges of the 21st century, driven largely by the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere. These emissions, resulting from fossil fuel combustion, industrial activities, and deforestation, have contributed to rising global temperatures, sea-level rise, and more frequent extreme weather events. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), these changes are altering global and regional climate systems, with severe implications for ecosystems, infrastructure, and human livelihoods. Coastal regions are among the most vulnerable areas to the impacts of climate change, particularly low-lying deltas that face compounded risks from sea-level rise, land subsidence, and extreme climatic variability. Egypt’s Nile Delta represents one of the most at-risk regions globally due to its geographic location, high population density, and economic importance. The IPCC regional climate projections for North Africa indicate significant increases in temperature, reduced precipitation levels, and heightened frequency of extreme weather events across Egypt. These climatic shifts threaten agricultural productivity, water security, infrastructure resilience, and overall environmental stability in the Nile Delta. In response to these challenges, improving building efficiency in coastal environments has become an essential adaptation strategy. Efficient building design and construction can play a critical role in reducing energy consumption, enhancing resilience to climate impacts, and ensuring sustainable urban development. This study explores the dynamics of building efficiency in coastal environments, with a particular focus on the Nile Delta region. It examines how climate change influences building performance and highlights the need for adaptive architectural and engineering solutions tailored to vulnerable coastal settings. The findings underscore the importance of integrating climate-responsive design principles, sustainable materials, and energy-efficient technologies into coastal construction practices. Such measures are crucial for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change while promoting long-term environmental sustainability and socio-economic resilience in the Nile Delta.
James Alexander Carter (Mon,) studied this question.