| Climate change and sea level rise vulnerability and adaptation assessment |
Stocktake Review and Operational Guidance on Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EBA) Tools, Cost Benefits and EffectivenessClient: UNEP CZM staff Robert Kay, Carmen Elrick-Barr and Ailbhe Travers, in their capacities as Adjunct researchers to the Sustainability Research Centre at the University of the Sunshine Coast, worked with UNEP and UNEP Partners to complete a stocktake of approaches to ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA). A key project component was the development of a decision support framework to provide guidance to managers and decision makers on the value of ecosystem based approaches to adaptation and management. The work culminated in an expert stakeholder workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, to gain feedback on the framework and finalise its design. Northern Pacific Adaptation StocktakeClient: Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency CZM conducted a desktop review and in-country consultations across four northern Pacific countries: Nauru, Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. The project aim was to understand climate change adaptation-related programmes, project and activities, regional and international adaptation initiatives, research activities and any other information required. Final deliverables were a stocktake report for each country, which included lessons learned and recommendations for moving forward with national adaptation priorities. Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change (PIFACC) 2006-2015Client: SPREP Dr Robert Kay and Carmen Elrick worked closely with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to develop the Monitoring and Evaluation framework for the Second Edition of the Pacific islands framework for action on climate change (PIFACC) 2006-2015. The Second Edition of the PIFACC was launched during the 22nd SPREP Meeting, in Apia 12-15 September. Rottnest Island Preliminary Climate Change Vulnerability AssessmentClient: Rottnest Island Authority
Working with the Rottnest Island Authority, CZM completed a strategic assessment of environmental and infrastructure vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, including coastal impacts of sea level rise and water resources. The project was based on expert judgment and a consideration of the geomorphology and hydrodynamics of the island. Project Development Phase: Adaptation in the coastal zones of MozambiqueClient: UNDP Mozambique The focus for this project was an analysis of adaptation options, covering both built and natural adaptation solutions, to indicate the pros and cons of each option, and indicative capital and maintenance costs. The project included a 10-day mission to Mozambique to conduct field visits and engage with key project stakeholders in country. UNDP and key stakeholders in country will use outcomes from the analysis when designing the next project phase. Impact of Extreme Weather Events and Climate Change on Surf Life Saving ServicesClient: Surf Life Saving Australia CZM worked with Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) to produce a Climate Change Adaptation Road Map for the organisation. The project entitled, Impact of Extreme Weather Events and Climate Change on Surf Life Saving Services (SLSA), involved a climate change sensitivity assessment of surf life saving clubs in Australia, as well as workshops with key SLSA decision makers to support the development of adaptation strategies to be encompassed within the adaptation road map. The team at CZM also scripted, produced and recorded a video presentation for club leaders, encouraging them to engage with the project during the consultation phase.
Western Suburbs Regional Organisation of Councils (WESROC) climate change risk assessmentClient: WESROC Working with WESROC member Councils, and the Town of Cambridge, CZM guided Councils through a risk assessment process to facilitate and help identify priorities to address climate change. The Councils involved then developed an Adaptation Action Plan to address these potential impacts. The aim of the project was to ensure that member Councils were better informed, better prepared and better able to work both independently and collaboratively to address climate change impacts. The final project report (PDF 6.4Mb) is available from the City of Subiaco.
Mid West Regional Council Risk Assessment and Adaptation PlanClient: Mid West Regional Council Western Australia's Mid West region extends for over 30,000 sq km in the Wheatbelt. Including the Shires of Carnamah, Coorow, Mingenew, Morawa, Mullewa, Perenjori and Three Springs, the region is comprised of small townships that act as service centers for the surrounding farming area. Mid West Regional Council (MWRC) member Councils are concerned that predicted climate changes may impact on the farming and tourism industries, the major employers for the region. CZM is working with MWRC member Councils, guiding them through a risk assessment and adaptation planning process. Funded by the second round of the Local Adaptation Pathways Program (LAPP), the project will provide a forum and a process that allows Councils to understand and prioritise the climate change risks in the region, and identify the resulting potential impacts on Council operations. The assessment will conclude by identifying options on how to reduce to the risks identified.
Identification and Implementation of Adaptation Response Measures to Drini-Mati River DeltasClient: GEF and UNDP Albania.Overview: Based on initial assessments of impacts of climate change in the DMRD, the Drini and Mati River Deltas (DMRD) were identified as areas of critical vulnerability to climate change and variability, on the northern Adriatic coast of Albania. The Government of Albania received a US$2.2M grant through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to assist Albania pilot identification and implementation of adaptation measures. The project is a combination of technical and institutional capacity development, on-the ground adaptation measures, such as coastal dune habitat restoration, modification of DMRD protected area network planning and coverage, and other landscape-wide adaptation policy measures. Initiated in April 2009, CZM has been providing services to mentor and support the Albanian project manager, including providing advice to support the overall design of the project, support in specifying individual project components, and support in drafting terms of reference to recruit local experts. CZM is also providing project management assistance specifically on the most suitable approaches/methodologies for the assessment of the climate change impacts and variability on the study area.
Review of Scarborough Beach Urban Design MasterplanClient: City of Stirling, with Hassell Consulting, Perth.Overview: The Scarborough Foreshore has undergone significant changes in recent decades, both as a result of human development and the impact of natural climate variations. CZM provided expert advice to the City of Stirling on climate change vulnerability and risk assessment, contributing to the Climate Change Impact Assessment Component of the Scarborough Masterplan Review. Working closely with all stakeholders, CZM undertook all phases of the project to deliver an overall set of recommendations to link into the design process. This included a map showing graphically the range of impacts relative to geomorphology and site layout. A specific summary of recommendations for Scarborough Surf Lifesaving Club, Amphitheatre, limestone walls and carparks to minimise impacts was also undertaken. The result was a comprehensive assessment of the vulnerability of the Scarborough Beach Area to climate change with mitigating strategies to address these risks incorporated within the MasterPlan. The City of Stirling now has the resources and strategy to achieve a lively and safe environment that withstands the impact of climate change in years to come.
Coastal Zone Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Action PlanClient: City of Mandurah, Western Australia. Overview:CZM, in collaboration with Damara WA, completed both a strategic, and a site-specific risk assessment for the City of Mandurah, Western Australia. The project combined vulnerability and risk assessment approaches to deliver a spatially explicit risk assessment and adaptation action plan for the local government area. Specific adaptation actions for the area were developed by coastal compartment. A detailed action plan that allowed the council to move beyond purely strategic adaptation was also delivered as part of the project. Funded under the Australian Government Local Adaptation Pathways Programme (LAPP), project objectives were met though the key work phases outlined in Climate Change Impacts and Risk Management: A guide for business and government.
Kiribati Adaptation Project - Pilot Implementation Phase (KAP II)Client: Global Environment Facility (GEF), AusAid and NZAID, Kiribati. Overview:Kiribati is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change and sea level rise. Most of the land in urban Tarawa is less than 3 metres above sea level, and the island has an average width of only 450 metres, rendering retreat adaptation options untenable. CZM have been working with the Government for two years on the Global Environment Facility, AusAid and NZAID-funded Kiribati Adaptation Project (KAP II) to develop a co-ordinated coastal hazard risk diagnosis and planning process. CZM reviewed the existing Government of Kiribati approach to coastal hazard risk diagnosis and planning and designed a modified approach, based on best practice in ICZM, to progress to a more coordinated and effective approach to coastal hazard risk diagnosis and planning. A primary Project objective was to build capacity to apply this process in key government agencies in Kiribati. This was achieved through two mechanisms; (i) training key government officials in risk assessment and adaptation planning; and (ii) developing a staged approach to mainstreaming climate change into the Government of Kiribati. An innovative three-tiered model to mainstreaming climate change was developed. The staged approach responded particularly to the Government of Kiribati capacity and resource constraints. See the Kiribati Case Study for more about this project.
Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Action Plan, MurchisonClient: Shire of Murchison Overview:Under the Local Adaptation Pathways Program (LAPP), the Shire of Murchison wanted to investigate climate change risks posed to the region and its constituents. The project assessed the vulnerability of the Murchison region to the impacts of climate change, and provided a locally coordinated approach to climate adaptation. A series of consultation workshops were conducted in the region and created a sense of 'local ownership'. They also instilled capacity in key stakeholders to address the impacts of climate change, encouraging personal involvement in the development and implementation of the proposed adaptation actions. Once completed, the Shire was better able to understand risks of future climate change in the region, as well as the potential adaption options to address these risks.
Climate Change Risk Assessment for Australian Indian Ocean TerritoriesClient: Australian Attorney General's Department, Cocos-Keeling and Christmas Islands.Overview: CZM were involved in investigating the climate change risks to the Cocos-Keeling and Christmas Islands, for the Australian Attorney General's Department. Working in conjunction with Maunsell Australia Pty Ltd and CSIRO, the CZM team completed the natural system component. This included conducting a review of physical and biological characteristics of the islands, conducting a strategic assessment of impacts based on consequence/likelihood matrix, providing input into the development of success criteria, coordinating GIS data, and attending the risk assessment workshops. CZM also provided expert advice on planning and governance issues on the islands.
Peer review and technical advice for Kakadu National Park and Port StephensClient: BMT WBM Consulting and Department of Climate Change, Australia.Overview: Under the National Coastal Vulnerability Assessment programme, a coastal vulnerability assessment was undertaken in Kakadu National Park. Working together with WBM BMT Consulting, CZM provided expert peer review services and on-going methodological advice on coastal vulnerability assessments, contributing to the final report on Adaptation Options to Potential Climate Change Impacts within the South Alligator River Catchment in Kakadu National Park. CZM also provided similar peer review services on coastal vulnerability assessments conducted in Port Stephens, under the Local Adaptation Pathways Programme (LAPP). CZM provided advice to guide both projects to align with Australian and international best-practice in coastal climate change risk assessments.
Cottesloe Climate Change Foreshore Vulnerability (CCFV)Client: Town of Cottesloe, Perth, Australia.Overview: Cottesloe is one of Western Australia's most well know coastal suburbs and one of the State's most famous beaches. Working together with the Town of Cottesloe, CZM facilitated the introduction of best practice coastal vulnerability assessment at a local scale. Cottesloe was an ideal location for seminal works of this kind due to its extensive local data set related to key assessment elements. This work provided an important template for use both throughout the state and elsewhere in Australia. A risk assessment and adaptation planning approach was applied using key work phases outlined in Climate Change Impacts and Risk Management: A guide for business and government.
In this regard, this project complemented concurrent initiatives at a regional level that aim to forecast coastal impacts of climate change in Western Australia. It also helped stimulate community debate around the issues of climate change. Visit the Town of Cottesloe website to view the final report.
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| CZM were pro-active with identifying the City of Rockingham's needs during the peer review of our Climate Change Response Strategy and went further than the extra mile to ensure that our product is of a high standard and quality, giving consideration to the high level Risk analysis approach we have taken. |
February 2010 Dr Robert Kay, principal consultant at Coastal Zone Management was commissioned by the Asia Development Bank (ADB) to assess the suitability of financing options for the Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Program in India...more |