Download Identifying and Prioritising Adaptation Actions

Module 4 –
Identifying and Prioritising
Adaptation Actions
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Expected outcomes of this
module
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Climate change risks can be managed through actions which reduce the
likelihood and/or consequences of climate impacts. The purpose of this
module is to prioritise adaptation actions that adequately manage Council’s
important climate change risks.
The expected outcomes of this module are that:
Adaptation actions will be identified prior to the workshop through a
literature review and at the workshop through brainstorming
Risk statements will be re-analysed by workshop participants to
determine the potential effectiveness of adaptation actions
Resources required for module
delivery
Delivery
schedule
Complete following module 3 “Assessing Climate Change
Risk”. The outputs from this module should feed into
Council’s climate change action plan (module 7)
Time
At least 3 hours
Participants
All members of the Climate Change Action Planning Team
(including the Working Group and the Steering
Committee) or alternatively the Working Group
Materials
•
A computer (ideally with internet access)
•
Module 4 PowerPoint presentation template
•
Risk Assessment Tool (includes MCA tool)
•
Large sheets of paper (e.g. A1 size paper)
•
Adhesive or thumb tacks to display paper
•
Marker pens
•
Stickers (for facilitation of 3.2.4) (optional)
•
Adaptation action templates
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Researched adaptation actions
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Workshop Briefing Paper from module 3
•
Evaluation Forms (template available)
Adaptation actions will be prioritised by workshop participants using risk
management effectiveness and multi-criteria analysis (MCA)
Assistance
Above: Blayney Wind Farm courtesy of The Wellington, Blayney and Cabonne
Strategic Alliance
Useful references
Delivery checklist
Module output
Workshop facilitation
An assistant is required to transcribe the data from each
completed Adaptation Action Template into the Risk
Assessment Tool
Module preparation
Resources
Expected outcome
Useful references
3
Delivery checklist
Module output
Workshop facilitation
How to complete the module
The following tasks should ensure that the expected outcomes of the module
are achieved:
Research a list of adaptation actions relevant to priority risks (prior to
the workshop)
Estimate the likely effectiveness of adaptation actions
Evaluate the quadruple bottom line potential of adaptation actions using
MCA
Prioritise actions using risk management effectiveness and MCA
3.1.1 Researching adaptation actions
Adaptation actions are adjustments made in response to climate change that
lead to reduction in risks or realisation of benefits. Adaptation actions can
involve technological and infrastructure measures, planning, research and
education or a combination of actions. Adaptation usually involves treating
risks through strategic planning and the allocation of resources, rather than
short term, reactive adjustments. The purpose of this task is to compile a list
of adaptation actions which may be suitable to address priority risks. Key
sources of information include:
Climate Change Adaptation Actions for Local Government (DCC, 2009)
Climate change adaptation action plans from various local councils
(Australian and International)
Resources
Expected outcome
Table 1 provides an example of the different types of adaptation actions
available to Council. It should be noted that single actions in isolation may not
be effective but rather it may be best to address risks using a suite of
strategies in an integrated approach.
3.1 Module preparation
Module preparation
Such resources have been made available on the LGSA website
(www.lgsa.org.au).
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Table 1: Adaptation action types and examples (AGO, 2006)
Action Type
Description and examples
Action Type
Description and examples
Avoidance
Avoid or exploit changes in risk:
Spread risk
Insurance and diversification strategies:
Structural and
technological
Regulatory and
institutional
Useful references
•
Use of financial products that off-lay the risk
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Geographical diversification
Prevent effects through engineering solutions and
changed practices:
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Increase reservoir capacity
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Implement energy demand management measures
•
Scale up coastal protection measures
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Change design of stormwater systems
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Build more resilient structures
•
Install more efficient irrigation systems
•
Create wildlife corridors
Research
Prevent or mitigate effects through revised
regulations and planning:
•
Adopt integrated planning approaches
•
Amend local planning schemes for flooding risks
•
Revise guidance notes for urban planners
•
Amend building design standards
•
Increase resources for coastal planning
•
Factor climate change into criteria for designation of
species or ecosystems requiring increased protection
•
Improved contingency and disaster planning
•
Lengthen strategic planning horizons (from say 5-10
years to 20-30 years)
Delivery checklist
Module output
Education,
behavioural
Workshop facilitation
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Migration of people away from high risk areas
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Change location of new housing developments
•
Improve forecasting systems to give advance warning
of extreme climate events
Research to improve understanding of relationship
between climate change and risk:
•
Improve knowledge of relationship between past and
present variations in climate and performance of
economic, social and environmental systems
•
Improve modelling of regionally based climate change
impacts
•
Improve knowledge of the probability of frequency and
magnitude of changes to extreme climate events and
other climate variables under climate change
•
Improve understanding of the relationship between
changes to frequency and magnitude of extreme
events and critical thresholds for individual risks
Educate and inform stakeholders about the risks of
climate change:
•
Increase public awareness about the potential impacts
of climate change and about climate change
adaptation measures
•
Educate and inform management and personnel
about climate change risks and adaptation measures
Module preparation
Resources
Expected outcome
Useful references
Delivery checklist
Module output
Workshop facilitation
The facilitator should:
Consider the priority risks when reviewing documents and adaptation
action plans to identify relevant adaptation actions
Compile a list of possible adaptation actions and the risks they address
The module 4 PowerPoint presentation (template available from the
LGSA)
The Risk Assessment Tool (available from the LGSA)
The Adaptation Action Templates (available from the LGSA)
A plan for which staff members should be grouped together to address
specific risks in the Adaptation Action Templates
The facilitator should:
Finalise the workshop PowerPoint presentation by including the chosen
risk evaluation framework
Familiarise themselves with the workshop materials
Prepare printed evaluation forms (template available from the LGSA)
Read Box 2 and be familiar with the operation of the MCA tool
Complete and print Adaptation Action Templates printed for every
priority risk statement. Each Adaptation Action Template should include
the following information (in the appropriate fields or spaces of the
template):
Resources
Expected outcome
The priority risk statement (in field B) and the associated climate
variable (in field A) (from module 3)
The likelihood (field C) and consequence (field D) of that risk
statement (from module 3)
An example adaptation action identified from the research
activities (in field E). Further adaptation actions will be identified
in the workshop and added to the remaining rows for field E
The fields labelled F and G should be left blank (they will be
completed by the Working Group in the workshop)
3.1.2 Preparing workshop materials
This task involves preparing materials for the workshop, which include:
Module preparation
Identify which service areas (or business units) the priority risks relate
to and ensure there will be staff members from each of these service
areas present at the workshop. Prepare a plan for grouping staff
together in groups of 3-4 based on their service area and categorise the
risks that relate to their service area which they will address (in the
exercise under 3.2.1). Try to ensure each group has an equal share of
the risk statements assigned to them (if possible). Where a risk relates
to more than one service area, try to include staff members from both
service areas in a group that will be assigned to address that risk.
Above: Mouth of Lake Cakora, June 2009 by Reece Luxton, Clarence Valley Council
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3.2 Workshop facilitation
3.2.1 Identifying new adaptation actions
The purpose of this task is to build on the research and identify additional
adaptation actions. Many adaptation actions will be specific to a Council and
can only be developed through the knowledge of Council staff.
During the workshop, the facilitator should:
Ask an assistant to transcribe the data from each completed Adaptation
Action Template into the Risk Assessment Tool (explained in Box 1) (as
Templates are completed or during a break in the workshop)
Check that participants agree that the new risk rating (calculated by the
tool) is appropriate and realistic
Box 1 – Using the risk assessment tool to determine
effectiveness of actions
1. Insert adaptation actions and agreed new likelihood and consequence
following implementation of action
Form breakout groups of 3-4 people
Distribute the pre-prepared Adaptation Action Templates to the relevant
groups
Ask each group to develop up to 3 adaptation actions for each risk
contained on each template and write them in field E
3.2.2 Evaluating effectiveness of adaptation
actions
Effective adaptation actions should change the likelihood and/or the
consequence of climate change risks. To evaluate the potential effectiveness
of adaptation actions, Council should use the Adaptation Action Template to
consider how the implementation of an adaptation action would change the
likelihood and consequence rating of risks.
2. The tool will calculate the new level of risk. Evaluate whether this new
level of risk is appropriate and realistic
During the workshop, the facilitator should:
Recap the risk evaluation framework and distribute likelihood and
consequence scales used for the risk assessment in module 3
Ask each group to re-evaluate the likelihood and consequence of each
risk assuming the implementation of the relevant adaptation action
Develop a unique code for each adaptation action
Useful references
Delivery checklist
Module output
Workshop facilitation
Module preparation
Resources
Expected outcome
Useful references
Delivery checklist
Module output
Workshop facilitation
3. The tool will also calculate a risk effectiveness score for that adaptation
action
Module preparation
Resources
Expected outcome
Box 2 – Using the MCA in the Risk Assessment Tool
1. Select the MCA tab on the Risk Assessment Tool
2. Insert agreed criteria and weightings into the appropriate cells. The tool
comes with default criteria and weightings. Ensure that weightings add
up to 100%
3. Populate MCA with adaptation actions and their risk effectiveness
scores
3.2.3 Evaluating quadruple bottom line potential
of adaptation actions
The process of developing a robust climate change action plan should
address the challenges and outcomes of implementing adaptation actions.
The process should identify actions that are undesirable because of their
environmental, social or financial impact (regardless of their ability to manage
risk) and ensure actions are consistent with principles of good governance.
4. Score each criteria using drop down menus. Default drop down options
are descriptive of the criteria being analysed
The Risk Assessment Tool provided with the Workshop Package contains a
multi-criteria analysis (MCA) tool (explained in Box 2). The tool uses six
default criteria to evaluate the quadruple bottom line potential of adaptation
actions. The criteria and rankings can be customised to suit specific Council
objectives. MCA tools are relatively simple to develop with basic Excel skills.
The facilitator should:
Use a data projector to project the MCA tool to the whole Working
Group
Facilitate a live scoring session with the whole Working Group
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High score
MCA score
5. The tool will calculate a total MCA score based on each criteria score
and their relative weightings. Adaptation actions can be prioritised
based on this and their risk effectiveness.
3.2.4 Plotting effectiveness scores against MCA
scores
Plotting the effectiveness score and the MCA score for each action will help
develop a priority list of adaptation actions. Figure 1 demonstrates that high
priority actions will be highly effective and perform well against quadruple
bottom line criteria.
Medium Priority – High MCA
score but low risk effectiveness.
These actions may be become
higher priority through
modifications to improve
effectiveness
Low Priority – Low MCA score
and risk effectiveness. These
actions are lowest priority
Low score
Low score
High Priority – High MCA
score and high risk
effectiveness. These actions
should be considered as a
priority for implementation
Medium Priority – High risk
effectiveness but low MCA
score. These actions may be
become higher priority through
modifications to improve MCA
score
Risk Effective Sore
High score
Figure 1: Prioritisation matrix for adaptation actions incorporating MCA and risk
effectiveness scores
To prioritise adaptation actions, the facilitator should:
•
Develop a blank chart with appropriate scales on each axis for the
effectiveness score and the MCA score (this can be done on a white
board or large sheets of paper, e.g. A1 size paper)
•
Use the scores for each action to plot action codes on the chart (the
codes make the process quicker and easier to read). Consider using
stickers as stickers can be moved and are of a consistent size
•
Once all codes are plotted on the chart ask the Working Group to define
clusters of high, medium and low priority actions
Useful references
Delivery checklist
Module output
3.2.5 Administering the evaluation survey
At the end of the workshop the facilitator should:
Hand out evaluation survey and ask everyone to complete the survey
before they leave
Workshop facilitation
Module preparation
Resources
Expected outcome
Useful references
Delivery checklist
Module output
Workshop facilitation
Module preparation
Resources
Expected outcome
3.3 Finalising module outputs
Following the workshop the facilitator should:
Thank participants for their involvement and contribution to the process
Include the date and version on the documentation. Risk management
activities should be traceable and the records provide the foundation for
improvement. Section 5.7 of the AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 contains
information on creating and keeping records
File the documentation from the workshop for later reference and
potential inclusion in the action plan
Collate and analyse the results of the workshop evaluation and
circulate a summary of the results to workshop participants
Reflect on the strengths of the workshop and areas for improvement in
future workshops and activities
Follow up on any issues or questions that were raised at the workshop
and not completely resolved or answered
Make the PowerPoint presentation and any associated materials
available to all staff members
Finalise and risk analysis and MCA scoring which may not have been
completed in the workshop (possibly involving the Steering Committee)
Evaluate prioritisation of adaptation actions to ensure that actions are
prioritised appropriately (possibly involving the Steering Committee)
Above: Aftermath of bushfire in October 2009 (near Brooms Head, NSW), courtesy of
Scott Lenton, Clarence Valley Council
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The delivery checklist
Following completion of this module, Council should have achieved the
following:
Task
Complete
Useful references
AGO, 2006, Climate Change Impacts and Risk Management – A Guide for
Business and Government.
AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009, Risk Management – Principles and guidelines.
Identified relevant climate change impact adaptation
actions through literature review
Yes / No
Department of Climate Change, 2009, Climate change adaptation actions for
local government.
Brainstormed adaptation actions and reassessed risk
statements to determine effectiveness of each action
Yes / No
Climate change adaptation action plans from various local councils (Australian
and International)
Agreed criteria and weightings for MCA of adaptation
actions
Yes / No
Prioritised adaptation actions using MCA and risk
effectiveness scores
Yes / No
Administered and collected evaluation survey
Yes / No
Finalised module outputs (as listed on page 8)
Yes / No
Useful references
Delivery checklist
Links to useful resources are provided on the LGSA website (www.lgsa.org.au)
Module output
Workshop facilitation
Module preparation
Resources
Expected outcome