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A three-tier risk assessment process for climate change adaptation at a local scale

Author

Listed:
  • Fahim Nawroz Tonmoy

    (National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Griffith University
    Griffith University
    University of Sydney)

  • David Rissik

    (National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Griffith University
    BMT Eastern Australia)

  • J. P. Palutikof

    (National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Griffith University)

Abstract

Formal structures for evaluating climate change risk are important components of adaptation decision-making. In this paper, we present an accessible, cost-effective and user-tested climate change risk assessment framework which allows organisations to systematically apply a risk management process aligned with international standards to identify and manage their climate change risks. It is delivered through ‘CoastAdapt’, a resource supporting climate change adaptation in Australia. This three-tier framework offers four benefits to the adaptation process. First, it allows organisations to identify climate change risks and integrate them with their mainstream risk management process. Second, it makes optimal use of an organisation’s limited adaptation resources by taking a tiered approach, so allowing an organisation to start from a low knowledge base using minimal resources and, only if required, then move to more complex and resource-intensive risk assessment processes. Third, it introduces a time-dependent vulnerability rating which recognises the particular characteristics of climate change risks—that they are long term and associated with a considerable degree of uncertainty. Finally, it takes into account business inter-dependencies that can exacerbate impacts but be overlooked in a sector-based impacts evaluation. In this paper, we highlight the appropriate context in which to use each risk assessment tier, explore key technical differences among the three tiers, describe performance testing and present one case study of application. We discuss the benefits of this tiered risk assessment approach in the context of broader adaptation planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Fahim Nawroz Tonmoy & David Rissik & J. P. Palutikof, 2019. "A three-tier risk assessment process for climate change adaptation at a local scale," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 153(4), pages 539-557, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:153:y:2019:i:4:d:10.1007_s10584-019-02367-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-019-02367-z
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jean P. Palutikof & Roger B. Street & Edward P. Gardiner, 2019. "Decision support platforms for climate change adaptation: an overview and introduction," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 153(4), pages 459-476, April.
    3. Karly Bitsura-Meszaros & Erin Seekamp & Mae Davenport & Jordan W. Smith, 2019. "A PGIS-Based Climate Change Risk Assessment Process for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Dependent Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-16, June.
    4. Jean P. Palutikof & Roger B. Street & Edward P. Gardiner, 2019. "Looking to the future: guidelines for decision support as adaptation practice matures," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 153(4), pages 643-655, April.

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