ICLEI Conference National Climate Change Adaptation and Risk Management

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ICLEI ConferenceNational Climate Change
Adaptation and Risk Management

• Stefanie Pidcock
• Australian Greenhouse Office

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What the Science Tells Us about Climate Change

• Warming of the climate system is unequivocal
• This warming is caused by greenhouse gas
  emissions from human activities
• Global sea level rose by approximately 0.17 m in
  the 20th century
• The oceans have become more acidic
• Further change is inevitable but can be limited
  by reducing global greenhouse gas emissions

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Climate Change Strategy

• Australian Government invested over 2 billion in
  climate change programmes, focused on
• integrating climate change into decision making
• achieving least-cost abatement
• fostering technology development and uptake
• developing partnerships with industry and other
  stakeholders
• strong engagement in development of a global
  response

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• National Climate Change Adaptation Programme

• Announced in May 2004 Budget
• 14.2 million over 4 years
• Objectives include
• Advise Government on policy issues
• Build capacity
• Engage stakeholders
• Integrate climate change impacts and adaptation
  considerations
• www.greenhouse.gov.au/impacts/nccap

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COAG National Climate Change Adaptation Framework

• COAG Climate Change Action Plan Feb 06
• Key sectors include
• Buildings, settlements and infrastructure
• Coastal regions
• Natural ecosystems (biodiversity)
• Water supply
• Agriculture, forestryand fisheries
• Human health, tourism emergency services

Melbourne Feb 2005
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Risk Management
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Risk Management Guidance

• Simple practical guide based on the Australian
  standard (based on pilot studies)
• Local government
• Gas and electricity supplier
• Water corporation
• State government department
• Climate change scenarios

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Partnership in the CCP Adaptation Initiative

• Partnership to develop an adaptation module
  within CCP
• Practical guidance in risk management context
• Building on experience from CCP program
• Working through decision processes with councils
• Developing transferable set of materials

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Climate Change Actions for Local Governments

• This report identifies climate change adaptation
  actions that can be implemented by Australian
  local governments, spanning

• infrastructure and property services
• planning and development approvals
• provision of recreation facilities
• health services
• natural resource management
• water and sewerage services
• To be released in mid 2007

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Australian Greenhouse OfficeSCIENCE
ADAPTATION

• www.greenhouse.gov.au/impacts
• Impacts and Adaptation E-bulletin
• Subscribe online