Post on 02-Jul-2015
transcript
Anna Taylor
African Centre for Cities
University of Cape Town
Positioning this input
•Mistra Urban Futures programme = framework agreement between the City of Cape Town and the African Centre for Cities at UCT
• 6-8 City officials per year to UCT for 8 weeks supervised reflection and writing sabbatical
• 4 embedded researchers in the City part-time for 3 years
• Speaking from an insider-outsider position
Thinking about climate adaptation
•Not only as an OUTCOME
▫ i.e. reduced climate risks and vulnerabilities; minimized climate impacts
•But as a PROCESS
▫ i.e. how to continuously be reducing emerging climate risks and vulnerabilities
= adapting well (vs. well adapted)
Not one sequential cycle but overlapping & iterative
Attributes of a well adapting municipality
Attributes Description
Champions(technical + political)
Climate change champions are clearly visible, setting goals, advocating and resourcing initiatives on climate change adaptation.
Clear objectives stated and reviewed
Climate change adaptation objectives are clearly stated in municipal strategies (in relation to other priorities) and regularly reviewed as part of a broader strategic framework.
Comprehensive risk and vulnerability assessments
Comprehensive assessments of current & future risks and vulnerabilities are being undertaken for priority activities at early stages of the sector-based and integrated planning cycles.
Guidance and training(technical + political)
Scientifically based, workable guidance and training on adaptation is being put in place for operational staff and for councillors.
Adapted from Wilby and Vaughan, 2011
Attributes of a well adapting municipality
Attributes Description
Organisational learning and memory
Flexible structures and processes are in place to assist organisational learning, up-skilling of teams and mainstreaming of adaptation within codes of practice (organisational memory).
Multi-partner networks Multi-partner networks are in place that are sharing information, pooling resources and taking concerted action to realise complementary adaptation goals.
Monitoring and reporting Progress in adapting is monitored and reported against clearly defined targets.
Internal and external communication
Effective communication with internal and external audiences is raising awareness of climate risks and opportunities, realising behaviouralchanges and demonstrating adaptation in action.
Adapted from Wilby and Vaughan, 2011
How does the City of Cape Town fare against these attributes?
How does the City of Cape Town fare?
Attributes Evidence in CCT
Champions(technical + political)
Climate change champions active in Environment Dept.; attempts at fostering political champions (CC Think Tank, Energy & CC Committee, international networks and conferences)
Clear objectives stated and reviewed
Climate change adaptation objectives are [clearly] stated in Energy & CC Strategy, Spatial Development Framework; City Development Strategy 2040 BUT not yet regularly reviewed
Comprehensive risk and vulnerability assessments
Guidance and training(technical + political)
How does the City of Cape Town fare?
Attributes Evidence in CCT
Champions(technical + political)
Climate change champions active in Environment Dept.; attempts at fostering political champions (CC Think Tank, Energy & CC Committee, international networks and conferences)
Clear objectives stated and reviewed
Climate change adaptation objectives are [clearly] stated in Energy & CC Strategy, Spatial Development Framework; City Development Strategy 2040 BUT not yet regularly reviewed
Comprehensive risk and vulnerability assessments
Sea Level Rise Risk Assessment; Comprehensive Disaster Risk Assessment; 10 sector-based Climate Adaptation Plans of Action; WC Water System Reconciliation Strategy (plan to extend CC factors); Stormwater Run-off Scenarios
Guidance and training(technical + political)
Coastal setback line
Storm surge projections under scenarios of sea level rise
Climate Adaptation Plans of Action
Sector-based plans developed for:
• Coastal
• Health
• Stormwater and catchment management
• Disaster management
• Water and Sanitation
• Housing
• Spatial planning and land-use management
• [Transport]
• [Biodiversity]
• Economic Development
Example of measures listed in CAPAs
• Developing a Coastal Protection Zone Bylaw
• Develop a City-wide policy on resource efficient development
• Review low cost housing designs and the selection of building materials based on projected climate changes
• Ensure climate change considerations are taken into account in land identification for City’s low-cost housing programme
• Build capacity to monitor and manage the incidence and spread of climate-related water-borne disease vectors
How does the City of Cape Town fare?
Attributes Evidence in CCT
Champions(technical + political)
Climate change champions active in Environment Dept.; attempts at fostering political champions (CC Think Tank, Energy & CC Committee, international networks and conferences)
Clear objectives stated and reviewed
Climate change adaptation objectives are [clearly] stated in Energy & CC Strategy, Spatial Development Framework; City Development Strategy 2040 BUT not yet regularly reviewed
Comprehensive risk and vulnerability assessments
Sea Level Rise Risk Assessment; Comprehensive Disaster Risk Assessment; 10 sector-based Climate Adaptation Plans of Action; WC Water System Reconciliation Strategy (plan to extend CC factors); Stormwater Run-off Scenarios
Guidance and training(technical + political)
Some workshops, but largely ad-hoc and capacity lost if individuals leave; MUF programme
How does the City of Cape Town fare?
Attributes Evidence in CCT
Organisational learning and memory
Some efforts within departments (e.g. Friday Enrichment Programme) but poorly utilized; none across departments (newly est. cluster working groups?)
Multi-partner networks Climate Change Think Tank (convened with UCT and donor funding); UNISDR Resilient Cities Campaign; ICLEI-Africa Five City Network to Pioneer Climate Adaptation
Monitoring and reporting Lack of clearly defined targets, of monitoring and reporting (attempts with Mamre ceiling retrofit project and water savings)
Internal and external communication (raising awareness and demonstrating actions)
Climate Smart Cape Town campaign but short lived (COP17); EnviroWorks magazine; DRM drama workshops with school groups; DRM posters; Smart Living Handbook; Water Savings
On balance, how does CCT fare?
•Has made a good start (ahead of provincial and national guidance)
• Internal champions and external partnerships have been key but hard to sustain
• Coordination between line functions (to find synergies and integrated responses) and accessing budget remains a challenge
• Capacity and progress varies greatly between departments within the municipality (e.g. health, housing, econ dev)
Practical efforts to be replicated… basis for learning exchange follow up
• Ceilings retrofit in RDP houses – thermal regulation and local job creation
•Disaster risk reduction drama workshops with youth
•Water Savings Campaign and pressure management
• Climate Change Think Tank – regular learning exchange between local and district municipalities, researchers, business and civic organisations
• Exchange programme like Mistra Urban Futures
5 key lessons
1. Don’t let the adaptation agenda get into competition with other agendas (incl. mitigation & sustainability), look for synergies
2. Don’t stop with plans, prioritize and tie specific measures to individual job descriptions and performance criteria
3. Invest time in working with councillors and municipal manager to see linkages between CC and issues that are a priority for them
5 key lessons
4. Accept that adaptation is a long-term process that takes time, so need to experiment with new projects, building in good mechanisms for tracking progress and making adjustments
5. Work at making adaptation a funded mandate by reviewing and revise current municipal budget lime items in light of adaptation priorities and leveraging new funding sources through partnerships