Cities Preparing for Cities Preparing for Climate ChangeClimate Change

Jennifer Penney, Clean Air PartnershipJennifer Penney, Clean Air Partnership

Multi State Working Group Climate Change WorkshopMulti State Working Group Climate Change Workshop

Madison, Wisconsin, June 19, 2007Madison, Wisconsin, June 19, 2007

Adapting to Climate Change in Adapting to Climate Change in TorontoToronto

2 year research 2 year research & activation & activation project to get project to get the City of the City of Toronto on the Toronto on the road to climate road to climate change change adaptation adaptation

InvolvedInvolved

4 research reports4 research reports– A Scan of Climate Change Impacts on A Scan of Climate Change Impacts on

TorontoToronto– Cities Preparing for Climate ChangeCities Preparing for Climate Change– Climate Change Adaptation Options for Climate Change Adaptation Options for

Toronto’s Urban ForestToronto’s Urban Forest– Time to Tackle Toronto’s WarmingTime to Tackle Toronto’s Warming

2 workshops with City of Toronto staff2 workshops with City of Toronto staff

Cities Preparing for Climate Cities Preparing for Climate ChangeChange

Case studies of six cities/urban Case studies of six cities/urban regionsregions

Lessons from the experience of early Lessons from the experience of early adaptersadapters

Developed a framework for Developed a framework for adaptation by urban governmentsadaptation by urban governments

Cities/Regions StudiedCities/Regions Studied

LondonLondon New YorkNew York BostonBoston

HalifaxHalifax VancouverVancouver Seattle/King Seattle/King

CountyCounty

Chosen BecauseChosen Because

Relevance for TorontoRelevance for Toronto Impacts assessments doneImpacts assessments done Appeared to have taken leadership Appeared to have taken leadership

on the adaptation agendaon the adaptation agenda

Research ProcessResearch Process

Attended major adaptation conferencesAttended major adaptation conferences Reviewed literature Reviewed literature Conducted internet searchConducted internet search Arranged visits to selected cities & Arranged visits to selected cities &

conducted interviews with key conducted interviews with key informantsinformants

Gathered further informationGathered further information Sought a framework for analyzing Sought a framework for analyzing

collected datacollected data

Adaptation LeadersAdaptation Leaders

Created public awareness & Created public awareness & stakeholder engagement strategiesstakeholder engagement strategies

Undertook climate impacts assessmentUndertook climate impacts assessment Assessed adaptation options & review Assessed adaptation options & review

current activities current activities Have begun to implement adaptation Have begun to implement adaptation

strategiesstrategies

Awareness & EngagementAwareness & Engagement

Building awareness Building awareness of climate impacts of climate impacts in public & in public & stakeholders an stakeholders an essential stepessential step

Al Gore has made Al Gore has made this easierthis easier

However, focus However, focus remains on reducing remains on reducing emissions rather emissions rather than adaptationthan adaptation

Awareness Tools FoundAwareness Tools Found

Dedicated websites (Halifax, London, Dedicated websites (Halifax, London, NYC)NYC)

Newsletters (Halifax)Newsletters (Halifax) Workshops & conferences (London, Workshops & conferences (London,

NYC, Boston, King County)NYC, Boston, King County) Press conferences Press conferences (London, King County)(London, King County) Maps, video animationsMaps, video animations (NYC, Boston, Halifax)(NYC, Boston, Halifax)

Public Awareness Leader: Public Awareness Leader: Halifax Regional MunicipalityHalifax Regional Municipality

Climate SMART webpage with:Climate SMART webpage with:– Primer on climate changePrimer on climate change– Fact sheets on climate change impactsFact sheets on climate change impacts– Guide to preparing for weather Guide to preparing for weather

emergenciesemergencies Climate change information in almost Climate change information in almost

every issue of every issue of Naturally GreenNaturally Green, a , a quarterly newsletter distributed to all quarterly newsletter distributed to all householdshouseholds

LessonsLessons Commitment to Commitment to

reducing ghg’s does reducing ghg’s does not translate directly not translate directly into adaptation into adaptation actionaction

Visual presentation Visual presentation of information is of information is effectiveeffective

Analysis of extreme Analysis of extreme events for economic events for economic & human costs is a & human costs is a vital awareness toolvital awareness tool

Stakeholder Awareness & Stakeholder Awareness & Engagement in Adaptation Engagement in Adaptation

ProcessesProcesses

Stakeholders possess critical knowledge Stakeholders possess critical knowledge Stakeholders will be more supportive of Stakeholders will be more supportive of

action if engaged in assessment & action if engaged in assessment & options analysis options analysis

Key stakeholders include local Key stakeholders include local government staff, transportation government staff, transportation authorities, utilities, conservation authorities, utilities, conservation authorities & othersauthorities & others

Stakeholder Engagement Stakeholder Engagement ProcessesProcesses

London Climate Change PartnershipLondon Climate Change Partnership Metro East Coast AssessmentMetro East Coast Assessment ClimAdapt Network in HalifaxClimAdapt Network in Halifax Stakeholder Advisory Group in Stakeholder Advisory Group in

Metropolitan Boston areaMetropolitan Boston area King County Global Warming King County Global Warming

Preparedness TeamPreparedness Team

Stakeholder Awareness & Stakeholder Awareness & Engagement:Engagement:

London, New YorkLondon, New York

Greater London Authority: Greater London Authority: – 100+ presentations & workshops with 100+ presentations & workshops with

staff in departments & agencies that staff in departments & agencies that need to take climate change into need to take climate change into accountaccount

NYC Department of Environmental NYC Department of Environmental Protection:Protection:– Workshops with each of 7 divisions Workshops with each of 7 divisions

responsible for water & wastewater responsible for water & wastewater managementmanagement

Workshops Typically Workshops Typically Include:Include:

Presentation on the Presentation on the science of climate science of climate changechange

Regional climate Regional climate projectionsprojections

Potential impacts Potential impacts Initial discussion of Initial discussion of

adaptation options adaptation options & strategies& strategies

Stakeholder Awareness & Stakeholder Awareness & Engagement:Engagement:

King CountyKing County

High profile conference with 700 participants, High profile conference with 700 participants, 60% from local, regional & state government 60% from local, regional & state government (UW Climate Impacts Group holds regular (UW Climate Impacts Group holds regular meetings with water managers) meetings with water managers)

LessonsLessons Engagement of stakeholders often begins Engagement of stakeholders often begins

with an event to raise awarenesswith an event to raise awareness A plan for ongoing engagement is A plan for ongoing engagement is

necessarynecessary Mid-level staff are the workhorsesMid-level staff are the workhorses Regular communications & meetings Regular communications & meetings

required for sustained engagementrequired for sustained engagement Processes focused on technical modeling Processes focused on technical modeling

will reduce engagementwill reduce engagement Researcher-led processes often end when Researcher-led processes often end when

funding ceasesfunding ceases

Impact Scans & Impact Scans & AssessmentsAssessments

The best assessments The best assessments involve:involve:– Analysis of current Analysis of current

conditions & stressorsconditions & stressors– Review of historical Review of historical

climate trendsclimate trends– Regional climate change Regional climate change

projectionsprojections– Analysis of likely impacts Analysis of likely impacts

by sectorby sector

Most Took Sectoral Most Took Sectoral ApproachApproach

Coastal systemsCoastal systems Water & Water &

wastewaterwastewater EnergyEnergy TransportationTransportation BuildingsBuildings

EcosystemsEcosystems Health (heat, air Health (heat, air

quality, infectious quality, infectious diseases)diseases)

Social impacts, etc.Social impacts, etc.

Impacts Assessment Approaches:Impacts Assessment Approaches:

New YorkNew York

Led by Columbia researchersLed by Columbia researchers Undertook in-depth studies of Undertook in-depth studies of

specific vulnerable sectors, with specific vulnerable sectors, with stakeholder groups from each sectorstakeholder groups from each sector

Impacts Assessment Approaches:Impacts Assessment Approaches:

BostonBoston

Done by university researchersDone by university researchers Cost estimates of three scenarios for Cost estimates of three scenarios for

different sectors:different sectors:– ““Ride it out”Ride it out” – business as usual – business as usual– ““Build your way out”Build your way out” – fortification of – fortification of

existing systems to reduce damage existing systems to reduce damage – ““Green” adaptation Green” adaptation – alter the – alter the

organization & structure of urban organization & structure of urban systems to make them less vulnerable systems to make them less vulnerable

Impacts Assessment Approaches:Impacts Assessment Approaches:

HalifaxHalifax

Classic risk assessment approachClassic risk assessment approach

PROBABILITY

IMPACTSEVERITY

LOW MEDIUM HIGH

HIGH M H H

MEDIUM L M H

LOW L L M

LessonsLessons

Several valid options for analyzing impactsSeveral valid options for analyzing impacts Experienced climate & sectoral Experienced climate & sectoral

researchers essential for credible researchers essential for credible assessmentassessment

Stakeholder involvement helps produce Stakeholder involvement helps produce usable reports usable reports

Visual & graphic information easier for Visual & graphic information easier for decision-makers to usedecision-makers to use

Credible information on costs of inaction Credible information on costs of inaction may provide a spur to adaptationmay provide a spur to adaptation

Identifying Adaptation Identifying Adaptation OptionsOptions

Initial analyses of options for the six cities Initial analyses of options for the six cities tended to be simple & generic tended to be simple & generic

NYC, Seattle & King County have NYC, Seattle & King County have developed more in-depth analysis of developed more in-depth analysis of adaptation options for key areas of impactadaptation options for key areas of impact

Many adaptation options are simply Many adaptation options are simply ramped-up solutions to existing problems ramped-up solutions to existing problems

Precursors for Adaptation Precursors for Adaptation Action Action

Education & capacity building, e.g.Education & capacity building, e.g.– Education for the general public on the Education for the general public on the

risks of building in coastal areas risks of building in coastal areas vulnerable to sea level rise vulnerable to sea level rise (New York (New York MEC Assessment)MEC Assessment)

Research and monitoring, e.g.Research and monitoring, e.g.– High resolution topographical mapping High resolution topographical mapping

to better identify areas at risk from to better identify areas at risk from flooding flooding (Halifax)(Halifax)

Adaptation Options from More Adaptation Options from More Preventive to More ReactivePreventive to More Reactive

Interventions to reduce pressures on Interventions to reduce pressures on urban systems vulnerable to climate urban systems vulnerable to climate change, e.g.change, e.g.– Energy conservation programs to reduce Energy conservation programs to reduce

peak loads & limit risk of blackouts peak loads & limit risk of blackouts (London)(London)

Adaptation Options that Adaptation Options that Increase ResiliencyIncrease Resiliency

Interventions to increase resilience of Interventions to increase resilience of urban systems in face of extreme urban systems in face of extreme weather, e.g.weather, e.g.– Diversified local sources of electricity to Diversified local sources of electricity to

reduce dependence on centralized reduce dependence on centralized generation & vulnerable transmission generation & vulnerable transmission lines lines (Vancouver)(Vancouver)

– Home elevation program to protect Home elevation program to protect houses in flood zones houses in flood zones (King County)(King County)

More Reactive Adaptation More Reactive Adaptation OptionsOptions

Creation of buffer zones or relocation Creation of buffer zones or relocation to protect vulnerable systems, e.g.to protect vulnerable systems, e.g.– Green zones/parks in flood-prone areas Green zones/parks in flood-prone areas

for flood management for flood management (London)(London)– Relocation of vulnerable transportation Relocation of vulnerable transportation

infrastructure infrastructure (Halifax)(Halifax) Fortification of vulnerable structures Fortification of vulnerable structures

& systems, e.g.& systems, e.g.– More onerous requirements for bridges, More onerous requirements for bridges,

stormwater infrastructure stormwater infrastructure (Boston)(Boston)

Adaptation Options that Adaptation Options that Reduce HarmReduce Harm

Forecasting and early warning Forecasting and early warning systems, e.g.systems, e.g.– Public warnings about how to protect Public warnings about how to protect

against vector-borne diseases against vector-borne diseases (Halifax)(Halifax) Strengthening emergency response Strengthening emergency response

systems, e.g.systems, e.g.– Alternative transportation route Alternative transportation route

planning planning (Boston)(Boston)

Towards a More Systematic Towards a More Systematic Analysis of Adaptation OptionsAnalysis of Adaptation Options

Systematic reviews of options and Systematic reviews of options and strategies remain to be done, though strategies remain to be done, though some examples are surfacingsome examples are surfacing

Adapting to Climate Change: Lessons Adapting to Climate Change: Lessons for London for London investigated strategies of investigated strategies of more than 20 cities to cope with more than 20 cities to cope with heat, flooding & water shortagesheat, flooding & water shortages

Taking ActionTaking Action

Three main aspects:Three main aspects:– Establish “institutional mechanisms”Establish “institutional mechanisms”– Formulate adaptation policiesFormulate adaptation policies– Incorporate adaptation into projects & Incorporate adaptation into projects &

programsprograms

Institutional MechanismsInstitutional Mechanisms

Ongoing processes that bring Ongoing processes that bring together stakeholders in local together stakeholders in local government & related organizations government & related organizations to learn & planto learn & plan

Create guides and templates for Create guides and templates for integrating climate impacts & integrating climate impacts & adaptation into decision-makingadaptation into decision-making

Needs dedicated staff & resourcesNeeds dedicated staff & resources

Examples of Institutional Examples of Institutional Mechanisms SeenMechanisms Seen

Broad-based adaptation-specific Broad-based adaptation-specific stakeholder group (London)stakeholder group (London)

Internal mitigation-adaptation action Internal mitigation-adaptation action team (King County)team (King County)

Combined team of outside researchers & Combined team of outside researchers & internal departmental team (NYC DEP)internal departmental team (NYC DEP)

Private network of adaptation consultants Private network of adaptation consultants working with environmental staff working with environmental staff (Halifax) (Halifax)

Institutional MechanismsInstitutional MechanismsLondonLondon

London Climate Change Partnership, London Climate Change Partnership, 20012001– 15-20 agencies 15-20 agencies – Chaired by high-profile businessmanChaired by high-profile businessman– Produces in-depth reports Produces in-depth reports – Comments on government plansComments on government plans– Engages the mediaEngages the media

Also appointed full time-officer to do Also appointed full time-officer to do “inreach” & develop London Adaptation “inreach” & develop London Adaptation PlanPlan

Formulation of PoliciesFormulation of Policies

Include adaptation goals in overarching Include adaptation goals in overarching policies (London, King County, New York?)policies (London, King County, New York?)

Developing broad-scale adaptation plans Developing broad-scale adaptation plans – similar to mitigation planning (London, – similar to mitigation planning (London, King County)King County)

Integrating adaptation into individual Integrating adaptation into individual departmental & agency plans & programs departmental & agency plans & programs (New York, Seattle, Vancouver)(New York, Seattle, Vancouver)

Example: The London PlanExample: The London Plan

Mitigation & Mitigation & adaptation both adaptation both explicitly explicitly integrated in the integrated in the Revised London Revised London Plan (2006) Plan (2006)

““The Mayor will and other The Mayor will and other agencies should promote the agencies should promote the most effective adaptation to most effective adaptation to climate change, including:climate change, including:

- minimizing overheating and - minimizing overheating and contribution to heat island contribution to heat island effectseffects

- minimizing solar gain in - minimizing solar gain in summersummer

- contributing to reducing - contributing to reducing flood risk including applying flood risk including applying principles of sustainable principles of sustainable urban drainage.”urban drainage.”

Example: King CountyExample: King County

Updating the King County Updating the King County Comprehensive Plan to address Comprehensive Plan to address climate impacts on water resources, climate impacts on water resources, erosion & landslide hazards & fish & erosion & landslide hazards & fish & wildlifewildlife

Updating Shoreline Master plan to Updating Shoreline Master plan to incorporate consideration of climate incorporate consideration of climate impactsimpacts

Getting Down to ActionGetting Down to Action

Relocating water treatment plant in Relocating water treatment plant in Boston Harbor to account for sea-level Boston Harbor to account for sea-level riserise

London Transport’s Tunnel Cooling London Transport’s Tunnel Cooling Program (pilot projects)Program (pilot projects)

New York’s Greening the Bronx New York’s Greening the Bronx Quickstart ProgramQuickstart Program

King County’s Flood Buyout & Home King County’s Flood Buyout & Home Elevation ProgramsElevation Programs

Barriers to Adaptation Barriers to Adaptation ActionAction

Weak understanding of impactsWeak understanding of impacts Uncertainty about timing & extent of impactsUncertainty about timing & extent of impacts Using past conditions to guide decisionsUsing past conditions to guide decisions Focus on short-term costs of adaptation Focus on short-term costs of adaptation

rather than long-term costs of business as rather than long-term costs of business as usualusual

Difficulty getting attention of politiciansDifficulty getting attention of politicians Difficulties getting some stakeholders to the Difficulties getting some stakeholders to the

tabletable Problems coordinating across departments Problems coordinating across departments

and levels of governmentand levels of government Inadequate & one-off resourcesInadequate & one-off resources

Supports forSupports for AdaptationAdaptation

Knowledgeable & committed political or Knowledgeable & committed political or executive championsexecutive champions

Creation of specific interagency or Creation of specific interagency or interdepartmental organizationinterdepartmental organization

Collaboration of strong community of Collaboration of strong community of researchersresearchers

Allocation of human & financial resourcesAllocation of human & financial resources Strong communications & outreachStrong communications & outreach Stakeholder engagement strategyStakeholder engagement strategy

For Full Report For Full Report

www.cleanairpartnership.orgwww.cleanairpartnership.org