AdaptNet for 4 August 2009

1. Adaptive Plan for Flood Risk Management – Gold Coast, Australia

2. Climate Change Adaptation – Port Infrastructure and Operations

3. Vulnerability and Capacity – Local Commitments

4. Private Sector Adaptation in Southeast Asia

5. Climate Change Adaptation Decision Explorer

6. Asia-Pacific STS Network Conference – Griffith University, Australia

Adaptive Plan for Flood Risk Management – Gold Coast, Australia          

The paper suggests a method in which an adaptive management concept is used to create a robust framework against future climate uncertainties. It uses flood risk on the Gold Coast (Australia) as a context. The paper suggests a number of modifications to the current institutional arrangements for implementing such an adaptive strategy. 

The Need for Adaptive Strategic Planning: Sustainable Management of Risks Associated with Climate Change, Hamid Mirfenderesk and David Corkill, International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, vol. 1, no. 2, 2009. [Subscription required]

Climate Change Adaptation – Port Infrastructure and Operations        

The paper summarizes the status of adaptation information and tools available to ports. It reviews the current state of practice at six U.S. ports. The paper highlights some principal challenges and knowledge gaps in planning for climate change impacts at ports, and offers a few possible immediate ideas for action.                 

Planning for Climate Change Impacts at U.S. Ports – White Paper, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, American Association of Port Authorities, Global Environment & Technology Foundation and ICF International, July 2009 [236 KB, PDF]

Vulnerability and Capacity – Local Commitments        

The study examines the reasons why a U.S. locality would voluntarily commit to the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) campaign, when there are powerful incentives to do otherwise. It uses GIS to map and measure a locality’s vulnerability to climate-change impacts at the county level. The study identifies common attributes that raise the likelihood a country will commit to CCP.             

Vulnerability and Capacity: Explaining Local Commitment to Climate Change Policy, Sammy Zahran et al., Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, vol. 26, 2008 [583 KB, PDF]

Private Sector Adaptation in Southeast Asia  

This report discusses the impact of climate change in Southeast Asia on the private sector. It groups risks and opportunities for businesses into five categories: operational; regulatory and legal; reputational; market and product; and financing. The report argues that the private sector will play a substantial role in determining the level of adaptation success achieved across the region.                           

Making Climate Your Business: Private Sector Adaptation in Southeast Asia, Lauren Withey et al., World Resources Institute (WRI), CSR-Asia, and Sida, 2009 [1.50 MB, PDF]    

Climate Change Adaptation Decision Explorer               

Climate Adaptation Decision Explorer is a prototype tool consisting of a shell, through which users can access several engines to select adaptation options. It provides information on different methods used for decision-making, for instance Robust Decision-Making, Multi-Criteria Analysis, Knowledge Elicitation Tools, and Decision Envelope Analysis.    

Climate Adaptation Decision Explorer, wikiADAPT, 2009

Asia-Pacific STS Network Conference – Griffith University, Australia

This conference will take place in Brisbane, Australia from November 23-25, 2009. It will focus on different themes, including climate adaptation, energy transformations and sustainability science. Postgraduate and indigenous researchers in the Asia-Pacific region can apply for travel support. Abstracts may be submitted by 15 September 2009.   

Asia-Pacific Science, Technology and Society Network Conference 2009, Asia-Pacific STS Network, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia, November 23-25, 2009