FRAMEWORK
The project set out to develop and test a framework that helps identify and assess adaptation pathways for urbanised coastal areas.
The framework is intended to be an iterative process that can be used by coastal decision-makers to inform adaptation decision-making by:
- Utilising best possible existing information and predicted sea level rises and increases in extreme rainfall;
- Bringing together flood managers including local government, referral authorities and state government departments;
- Estimating the economic value of the flood area, the costs of flooding and the potential value of adaptation over time; and
- Highlighting opportunities to build internal capacity through knowledge sharing and collaboration.
After a local area has been identified as at risk of coastal flooding, five steps have been identified to develop and maintain an adaptation pathway.
- Assess current and future flood risk - estimate current and future inundation as a result of climate change based on available flood mapping, socio-economic data and climate science;
- Identify adaptation pathways - identify individual adaptation options that may reduce flooding. Options are then grouped into different adaptation pathways with distinctive characteristics to allow comparisons between approaches;
- Appraise and compare pathways - identifying the most cost-effective pathway by applying cost-benefit analysis techniques using the value of continued occupation of the hazard zone, the estimated cost of damages and investment required by the various adaptation pathways;
- Consult and develop preferred adaptation options - broader engagement with stakeholders to consider social, environmental and political factors which influence decision-making will be required, including clarification of roles and responsibilities, timing, funding and governance; (there is also step 4.5 - Implementation) and
- Monitor and review - an adaptation pathway is likely to evolve over time as a result of changes to flood risk, changes to what risks are acceptable and the emergence of new adaptation opportunities.
This project focussed on steps 1, 2 and 3.
