Coastal Zone Management pty ltd.
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Climate change leadership forum held in PerthOn 23 November, Robert Kay and Carmen Elrick from CZM attended the EIANZ Climate Change Leadership Forum, held at the University of Western Australia. Officially opened by John Braid, WA's EIANZ President, the forum included diverse speakers and presentations about climate change adaptation, mitigation and compliance. Robert presented a thought-provoking reflection on applying adaptive leadership in climate change, while Carmen spoke about protecting coastal infrastructure assets. "It was great to be invited to present at the forum and to catch up with colleagues we have not seen for years" Robert commented. "It was also the first time I heard Naomi Oreskes speak as the keynote speaker, where she summarised her recent book the Merchants of Doubt. I was so inspired that I bought the book during the lunch break and have been unable to put it down." Carmen added that the day was informative and very enjoyable. "EIANZ pulled together a great conference, full credit to the organisers." Naomi's presentation, along with those of other presenter have been published on the conference website.
‘Climate Proof' Panel Discussion in BangkokOctober 2010 Carmen Elrick, Senior Consultant at CZM attended the Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum in Bangkok last week. MFF invited Carmen to join the expert panel during the ‘Climate Proofing Coastal Ecosystem-based Investments: Learning with Mangroves for the Future (MFF)' session. In the facilitated open discussion, Carmen joined Anshuman Saikia, Programe Coordinator of IUCN, and Rajib Shaw, from Kyoto University. Carmen was the lead consultant for UNEP in developing an approach to mainstream climate change into the Mangroves for the Future program, completed earlier this year. The objective of Carmen's work was to ensure that all projects funded by the MFF Program would consider the potential impacts of climate change (read full pre-publication version of the Climate Proof: A Reference Tool to Coastal Climate Change in the Context of Mangroves for the Future). At the Forum, she also hosted one of the 23 booths at the Forum Market Place, held at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, which showcased the range of dynamic projects undertaken by CZM. "The forum provided a great opportunity to liaise with adaptation practitioners in the region" she said. The Forum gathered over 300 adaptation practitioners at regional, national, and sub-national level, including government representatives from various line ministries, researchers, practitioners, NGOs, international organisations, and regional intergovernmental bodies.
Just CERFing newsletter featureAugust 2010 The Coastal Education & Research Foundation (CERF), recently interviewed CZM Principal Consultant Dr Robert Kay to find out more about his career and personal drive in the coastal management field. CERF is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the advancement of the coastal sciences. The Foundation is devoted to the multi-disciplinary study of complex coastal zone problems. Read the Q&A interview with Robert featured in the August Just CERFing newsletter, or visit www.cerf-jcr.org for more information about the Foundation. Climate Adaptation Futures on the Gold CoastJuly 2010 CZM staff played a number of roles at the recent Climate Adaptation Futures Conference last month at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. The first in a new series of international conferences, the event attracted nearly 1000 participants from across the globe. Showcasing adaptation research from around the world, CZM Principal Consultant Dr Robert Kay chaired one panel session on Measuring the effectiveness of adaptation, with panel members including Cynthia Rosenzweig (GISS), Will Steffen (Australian National University), Andrew Haines (LSHTM), Bruce Thom (University of Sydney). Ms Carmen Elrick, CZM Senior Consultant, presented on Integrating Climate Change Adaptation and Coastal Zone Management: A Capacity driven approach for the Republic of Kiribati, during the Coasts, Deltas and Small Islands session. Poster presentations at the conference included:
CZM was also the only Western Australian company to participate in the trade exhibition, sharing a booth with BMT WBM Consulting. Throughout the conference, both Robert and Carmen were able to reconnect with adaptation colleagues within Australia and around the world, some of whom they had not seen in years, to share experiences and recent conceptual thinking about climate change adaptation. For more information about the conference, visit the official conference website.
Conference Snapshot
Joint BMT WBM / CZM conference trade booth
Senior Consultant Ms Carmen Elirck presenting at the conference on Integrating Climate Change Adaptation and Coastal Zone Management: A Capacity driven approach for the Republic of Kiribati
Principal Consultant Dr Robert Kay next to UNDP Albania/CZM poster on Climate Change and Coastal Adaptation Challenges Claremont office turns into a film studio: Climate change infrastructure resilience video presentation
July 2010 Dr Robert Kay was put in the spotlight, quite literally, presenting on camera recently for the UNDP El Salvador conference on Strategies for Adapting Public and Private Infrastructure to Climate Change. Robert discussed the key aspects countries need to think about to build climate change infrastructure resilience. Image Hunter Films helped to convert Robert's ideas into a short film, now set to be translated into other UN languages (French and Spanish).The Supplementary Resource Guide, PowerPoint and film will be available shortly through the Adaptation Learning Mechanism website.Mandurah Councillors Endorse Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Plan
May 2010
The Mandurah City Council endorsed the Coastal Zone Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Plan 2009 on Tuesday 27 April 2010. Coastal Zone Management worked together with the Mandurah City Council in conducting the assessment, which included both strategic and site-specific climate change risks and adaptation actions. The final Plan is available on the City of Mandurah website. Recommendations included that Council:1. Endorse the Coastal Zone Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Plan [August 2009] as a framework for the implementation of adaptation actions 4. Continue to support greenhouse gas reduction initiatives. "The Risk Assessment and Adaption Plan has provided Council with a great starting point to strategically tackle climate change issues in the coastal zone. CZM were professional, flexible and innovative in their approach and were patient and understanding of Council considerations, processes and procedures. The City now has a practical and Mandurah-specific action plan to adapt to coastal climate change impacts" said Craig Perry said Senior climate change officer at the City of Mandurah. CZM Senior Consultant, Carmen Elrick, worked closely with the City of Mandurah on the Project. She commented that Mandurah are a forward thinking council, dedicated to moving beyond planning towards implementation. "Working with such an innovative Council on climate change adaptation allowed us to think 'outside the box - the standard framework - and deliver a detailed climate change risk assessment that provided step by step adaptation recommendations, both across Council and on site specific basis." She added. The Federal Government under the Local Adaptation Pathways Project (LAPP) funded the project.
EMRC Regional Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2009-201319 March 2010 This month, the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) released their Regional Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan for 2009-2013. The Action Plan represents over two years of work by the EMRC in identifying and prioritising climate change risks to member Councils and developing adaptation actions. Through a mentoring-driven approach, CZM worked closely with EMRC staff and coordinators from each member Council, to assess the strategic-level climate change vulnerability for the EMRC region. "At the end of the process, staff felt empowered and enthusiastic about being able to direct the focus for their Council operations" said Carmen Elrick, lead risk assessment trainer for CZM. "It was rewarding to see EMRC staff go on to champion the process with member Councils" she said. The Regional Climate Change Action Plan was the key outcomes from the risk assessment process, and will act as a key guiding document to help prepare the region's community to adapt to the pressures of climate change. A copy of the action plan is available for download on the EMRC website.
NEEDS for Climate Change Synthesis Report released by the UNFCCCMarch 2010 The NEEDS for Climate Change study, funded by the UNFCCC Secretariat, today released a Synthesis Report on study outcomes to date. Focused on synthesising priority mitigation and adaptation measures proposed in participating countries, the synthesis report also reviewed of the financial and policy instruments available to support these measures. Ailbhe Travers from CZM, who led the synthesis, commented, "The project provided an interesting insight on the varying degrees and maturities of climate change adaptation within participating countries. Identifying priority actions for financing and measures to achieve by private sectors and multilateral initiatives was also an important outcome, both for the countries involved and for potential donors." The NEEDS for Climate Change Synthesis Report is available for download from the UNFCCC.
Asian Development Bank: Location - IndiaFebruary 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 for submission to the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The assignment will involve field-based investigation and stakeholder engagement in Dehli and also the west coast states of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra.
Successful bid for WESROC Climate Change Risk AssessmentFebruary 2010 CZM was recently awarded the WESROC (Western Suburbs Regional Organisation of Councils) Climate Change Risk Assessment project, due to be completed mid 2010. WESROC member councils (Town of Claremont, Town of Cottesloe, Town of Mosman Park, City of Nedlands, Shire of Peppermint Grove and City of Subiaco, with participation from the Town of Cambridge) are seeking to assess their vulnerability to the potential impacts of climate change and provide a regionally coordinated approach to climate adaptation. CZM is currently on the WALGA Panel of Preferred Suppliers and was invited to respond to a tender. CZM will guide WESROC members through a risk assessment process and facilitate and help identify priorities around climate change. WESROC will then develop an Adaptation Action Plan to address these potential impacts. The activities of WESROC council members are for the benefit of every citizen within their local communities. Through this project CZM will use their extensive experience in working with WA local governments and communities on adaptation planning. Our Road to Copenhagen: Kiribati COP 15 Side Event draws over 300 peopleDecember 2009 With over 300 people attending, the Kiribati COP 15 Side Event was a great success. Dr Robert Kay represented CZM at the event, held on 9 December 2009 in Copenhagen, and presenting findings from ongoing adaptation work undertaken in Kiribati, under the KAP II project. Other presenter, such as Tessie Lambourne, Kiribati's foreign secretary, were clear that if islanders had to leave their homes, they would not be environmental refugees. I-Kiribati would be trained to emigrate as skilled workers. "Nobody in this room would want to leave their homeland. It is our spiritual connection to our ancestors. We do not want to leave our homeland" Tessie said. Feedback about the event was extremely positive. Mr Betarim Rimon, Secretary to the President commented, "after the session, we received numerous comments saying that our side-event was the first that had cleverly blended emotion with facts...and hence the delivery of the powerful message." "I was told that one Minister and one Senator from Australia also attended while one US Senior Adviser was also there" Mr Rimon said. A webcast of the event is available through the UNFCCC website.
UNFCCC approve Government of Kiribati Side Event for COP 15 in Copenhagen13 November 2009 The Government of Kiribati are set to showcase recent achievements in climate change adaption programs in Kiribati at the upcoming COP 15 in Copenhagen. Side Events, run in parallel with negotiating sessions, provide an opportunity to showcase recent research climate change issues.
Blue Carbon Report is released in South Africa
October 2009
Three members of the CZM team recently contributed to the UNEP Blue Carbon: A Rapid Assessment Response report, both as content reviewers and copy editors. The report highlights the vital role of marine ecosystems, such as mangroves, salt marshes and seagrasses, in capturing and storing carbon. These marine ecosystems account for between 50% and 70% of all carbon storage in ocean sediments. As a result, preventing further loss and degradation of such ecosystems, and ensuring the recovery of already degraded systems, can potentially contribute to offsetting 3-7% of current fossil fuel emissions. The report was released on 14 October at the DIVERSITAS biodiversity science conference, Cape Town Conference Center, South Africa. To download the report, or for more information, visit the UNEP News Centre. CZM working to secure WA's climate change future
September 2009 CZM are working with the State Office of Climate Change to help define the future for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the State of Western Australia. Together with consultants at AECOM, CZM have been mentoring staff at the office and engaging key stakeholders to generate the best possible outcome for the State. The draft Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy (CCAMS) is due for public release in mid-2010. Through the numerous public consultation events to be held over the next few months and into 2010, government, industry and the general public will be able to contribute to the development of the strategy. Public consultation events will be advertised through local community newspapers and The West Australian newspaper.
CZM makes the shortlist to help WA local Governments cope with climate changeMay 2009 In May 2009, CZM was selected to be on the Panel of Preferred Suppliers for Climate Change Consultancy Services to Western Australian Local Government through their member association (WALGA). CZM was one of eight companies selected from 35 applications. "WALGA told us about their rigorous selection process." said Robert Kay, CZM Principal Consultant. "We are pleased that our support to date for WA local governments, in assessing, planing and adapting to climate change impacts, has been recognised by WALGA. We look forward to the challenges and rewards in providing ongoing support to WALGA members." The panel will allow WALGA members to gain access Climate Change Consultancy services quickly and efficiently.
House of Representatives Inquiry Committee visits Western AustraliaApril 2009 Robert Kay, CZM Principal Consultant, assisted the City of Mandurah and Town of Cottesloe when the House of Representatives Inquiry Committee into Climate Change and Environmental Impacts of Coastal Areas visited Western Australia. "I was lucky to spend time with Committee members as they toured coastal sites of interest, observing the pressures faced by local governments in managing the coast and the potential impacts of climate change", said Robert. "Committee members asked thought provoking questions. It was clear to everyone they met during their visits that the Committee is fully engaged in the inquiry. It was interesting to see the inquiry's progress since the panel session I was involved in at the Coast to Coast conference last year".
Positive feedback about ICCAI consultation workshopMarch 2009 CZM was selected as lead facilitator for the Australian Government's International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ICCAI) consultation workshop, held in Brisbane in March 2009. The purpose of the workshop was to gain feedback on the suite of activities proposed for the region under the ICCAI, in order to assist AusAID and the Australian Governments Department of Climate Change (DCC) in programming the initiative.
UNEP Marine and Coastal Strategy starting to take shapeFebuary 2009 CZM are supporting the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in drafting their Marine and Coastal Strategy. The strategy will serve as a platform for UNEP's Marine and Coastal Programme of Work over the next few years. It will provide guidance and help coordinate UNEP's engagement in marine and coastal management, both within the organisation and with partner organisations. Expected completion of the strategy is in July 2009.
2009 is announced the Year of Climate Change17 December 2008 The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced 2009 will be the year of climate change. He noted positive progress had been made at the recent UNFCCC conference in Poznan, Poland. However, further long-term cooperation and agreement is needed to reach a global climate change deal which is "balanced, comprehensive and ratifiable by all nations." Full media release is available at: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=29337&Cr=crises&Cr1
UNFCCC Resource Guide released16 December 2008 Written by CZM, Module 2: Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, of the UNFCCC Resource guide for preparing the national communications of non-annex I parties, was released at the beginning of December at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP 9) in Poznan, Poland. The module provides a guide to non-Annex I parties as to the drafting of the vulnerability and adaptation (V&A) section of their national communications. It provides an overview of some of the main methods, tools and data used for V&A, and directs the reader as to where to find software, additional documentation on methods and further information. Further modules of the Resource Guide are due to be released in June 2009. Modules 2 and 4 of the Resource Guide are available for download at: http://unfccc.int/essential_background/background_publications_htmlpdf/items/2625.php
Future Proofing Perth's Eastern Region25 November 2008 CZM has been chosen to work on the Project "Future Proofing Perth's Eastern Region - Development of a Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Action Plan" for the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC). Particular issues to be addressed through the Project include:
CZM will be providing a range of consulting services to work with EMRC and its Member Councils. The Project is funded as part of the Australian Government's Local Adaptation Pathways Programme.
Coastal Zone Management undertakes the City of Mandurah Climate Change Risk Assessment project22 November 2008 In November 2008 CZM initiated the Coastal Zone Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Action Plan for the City of Mandurah. |
Clients Say...
Rob, Carmen and the team at CZM continually went beyond the call of duty. Their ongoing mentoring through the project to EMRC staff has provided staff with increased knowledge and capacity on climate change risk assessment processes that can be applied to future projects across Perth's Eastern Region. Executive Manager Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) |
Did You Know?
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 |
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