The The ‘‘South East Queensland Climate Adaptation South East Queensland Climate Adaptation Research InitiativeResearch Initiative ’’

Externalto projecte.g. Water

UrbanInfrast.

Agricul-ture

Sectors within the SEQ region

Human Settlements

Bio-diversity

Ada

ptiv

e C

apac

ity

Synthesis

Energy

Climate Projections

http://www.csiro.au/partnerships/seqcari.html

• Practical integrative sciencecost-effective adaptation options for southeast Queensland, regional scale and across key industries

• Research partnershipCSIRO, Griffith University, University of the Sunshine Coast, and University of Queensland

• Engagement focusedlocal councils, state government, community, industry

South East Queensland Climate

Adaptation Research Initiative (SEQ-CARI)

SEQ-CARI

Human Settlements Component

Objectives Objectives Objectives Objectives –––– Human SettlementsHuman SettlementsHuman SettlementsHuman Settlements

� to understand what aspects of design, form, functioning & governance of human settlements in SEQ are most vulnerable to climate change impacts

� to determine how these vulnerabilities can be overcome & identify adaptation options

� to identify barriers to adoption & implementation, and how they can be overcome

� to assess adaptation strategies

� to contribute insights/findings to larger integrated regional project

Sectoral Focus areas Sectoral Focus areas Sectoral Focus areas Sectoral Focus areas

• Urban planning and management

• Emergency Management

• Human Health

• Coastal management

• [Infrastructure - will be included in case studies]

12

The GU TeamThe GU TeamThe GU TeamThe GU Team

• Project Leaders : Darryl Low Choy, Scott Baum, Rodger Tomlinson, Sherif Mohamed

• Research Fellows : Florence Crick, Silvia Neumann, Redwan Rahman, Marcello Sano

• PhD Students : Johanna Mustelin, Kara Rickson, Tony Matthews

• Ben Harman, CSIRO

13

Project MilestonesProject MilestonesProject MilestonesProject Milestones

1. Vulnerability Assessment – current

2. Case Studies Analysis and Elaboration- March 2011

3. Development of adaptation options –September 2011

4. Testing of options – March 2012

5. Development of adaptation plans & guidelines

MethodologyMethodologyMethodologyMethodology

• Case Study Approach – 4 sites

• Research & Assessment – 5 phases(including Scenario Planning)

• Ethics approval• Stakeholder analysis• Project Reference Group

•Scoping and validation of focal issues and questions

•Development and testing of sectoral adaptation options• Implications workshops

•Human settlements synthesis

•Scenario testing development • scenario workshops

16

Methodology Framework TimelineMethodology Framework TimelineMethodology Framework TimelineMethodology Framework Timeline

Research ApproachResearch ApproachResearch ApproachResearch Approach

Case Study – 4 sites in 4 local government areas

• Brisbane City Council

• Sunshine Coast Regional Council

• Gold Coast City Council

• Ipswich City Council

Brisbane City CouncilBrisbane City CouncilBrisbane City CouncilBrisbane City Council

Brisbane CBDHigh pop density; Economic centre; Major infrastructure

Sunshine Coast Regional CouncilSunshine Coast Regional CouncilSunshine Coast Regional CouncilSunshine Coast Regional Council

KawanaWaters•Low lying; •Canal/new development;•Young population

Emergency & Coastal Management•Flooding; •Extreme wind; •Storm surge; •Evacuation route

Gold Coast City CouncilGold Coast City CouncilGold Coast City CouncilGold Coast City Council

Main Beach/ Southport

General Characteristics•High pop density;•Low lying;•Canal development;•Beachfront

Example: Urban Planning & Coastal Management•Retrofitting;•Urban consolidated issues;•Coastal planning

Ipswich City CouncilIpswich City CouncilIpswich City CouncilIpswich City Council

Ripley Valley & RosewoodGrowth Corridor; Greenfield development; Peri-urban interface

A Scenario Planning Approach

Exploration of possible futures rather than a single predicted future � Identification of focal issues or questions� Assessment of certain and uncertain drivers of

issues/questions� Development of scenario options based on

drivers� Testing existing plans/strategies against each

scenario� Development of adaptation options� Development of narratives to communicate and

assess adaptation options� Production of a sectoral synthesis for general

adaptation plan

Thank YouThank YouThank YouThank You

Questions?

Some Challenges to Climate Some Challenges to Climate Some Challenges to Climate Some Challenges to Climate

Adaptation in SEQAdaptation in SEQAdaptation in SEQAdaptation in SEQ

• Balance between mandatory & voluntary adaptation as well as better engagement of non-government sector

• Need for horizontal & vertical coordination and integration between sectoral and cross-sectoral agencies

• Incorporating climate science in decision-making processes using flexible approaches to integrate new findings

• Rethinking response timeframes: short, medium & long-term

25

Institutional ArrangementsInstitutional ArrangementsInstitutional ArrangementsInstitutional Arrangements

Climate Adaptation as a collective/integrated response

• Multiplicity of government tiers – cross sectoral implications

• Multiplicity of stakeholders

• Scale of action

• Role of private sector

26

27

Vulnerability Assessment ComponentsVulnerability Assessment ComponentsVulnerability Assessment ComponentsVulnerability Assessment Components

• Exposure- Hazard: sea level rise, storms, floods, drought, heatwave,...

- Biophysical characteristics: topography, land cover

• Sensitivity- Demographic data

- Economic activity, physical infrastructure, land use

• Adaptive Capacity- Socio-economic status

- Education level

- Institutions

28

Research QuestionsResearch QuestionsResearch QuestionsResearch Questions

1. What adaptation actions are currently employed to reduce the effects of climate change on human health, urban form and infrastructure, environmental and urban amenity and public safety? What are major obstacles/barriers to effective adaptation in human settlements,encompassing all four sectors, and how can these be overcome?

2. What are the current institutional, policy and regulatory arrangements and responsibilities for human settlements in SEQ, and are they able to deal with increasing demands imposed by a changing climate?

3. What links between sectors must be understood in order to develop integrated and holistic cross-sectoral adaptation strategies for human settlements in SEQ? Are current arrangements for the coordination of adaptation decision-making across sectors best designed to support successful collective action?

29

Research QuestionsResearch QuestionsResearch QuestionsResearch Questions

4. What initiatives can enhance communities’ ability to deal with climate change and expanding and changing risks in the future?

5. How can the role of the private sector be enhanced to promote adaptation?

6. Which tools, strategies, models and mechanisms should each sector utilise to adapt to climate change in urban landscapes?

7. How can lessons learned about effective climate change adaptation at the local level be transferred to other locations and contexts?

30