Improving cross-sectoral climate change adaptation for coastal settlements: insights from South East Queensland, Australia
Serrao-Neumann1,a, S.; Crick1, F.; Harman2, B.; Sano1, M.; Sahin1, O.; van Staden1, R.; Schuch1, G.; Baum1, S. & Low Choy1, D.
1.Griffith University, Australia
2. CSIRO, Ecosystem Sciences, Australia
a) Corresponding author: Silvia Serrao-Neumann, , Urban Research Program, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan QLD 4111; s.serrao-neumann@griffith.edu.au
Table S1: Overview of the 3 coastal settlements and associated adaptation challenges
Coastal Settlement Types
Canal Estates – Blue Waters
Description
Beach Front High Rise Holiday Destinations –
Sandy Shores
 Extensive residential precincts developed around  Locations with high population densities
artificially constructed waterways providing
(including seasonal variations) and high amenity
water-focused lifestyles;
and property values;
 Low to medium density residential areas
 These areas have been modified significantly over
comprising a combination of new, refurbished and the last 30 years for development and
old (1970s) housing developments;
infrastructure purposes, mainly through the
 Demographic profile tends to be mixed with both
construction of canals and the protection of
working-age households and older couple
beaches against erosion;
households, and average household incomes tend  These areas have a large, fluctuating tourist
to be similar or superior to the national average;
population all year round;
 Sensitive to natural hazards, such as extreme
 Naturally dynamic environment surround by
rainfall events, storms and storm surges, due to
water which makes it sensitive to coastal hazards
their coastal location, proximity to low-lying
such as sea level rise, coastal erosion and storm
flood plains and density of land use.
surges.
 Climate change is likely to exacerbate their
Adaptation
Challenges
 Current coastal hazards likely to increase in
current exposure to natural hazards and increase
intensity due to climate change;
their vulnerability;
 Fluctuating seasonal population needs to be
 Maintaining the current low to medium density
considered when planning for health and
residential profile while accommodating growth
emergency services;
and development pressures taking into
 Matching population and development growth
consideration future climate change;
with safety standards in planning and
 Maintaining and ensuring critical infrastructure
infrastructure is critical to reducing vulnerability
(e.g. roads and stormwater) and services (e.g.
to future climate induced coastal hazards.
emergency management and health services) can
deal with a growing and ageing population and
are upgraded or relocated to consider the future
risk of floods and the need to maintain emergency
and evacuation routes.
Coastal Residential Suburbs - Greenhaven
 Large residential populations in low-lying flood
prone location;
 Significant proportion of low-income households
and higher than average unemployment rates,
large immigrant community;
 Low quality and ageing housing stock;
 Dominance of rental accommodation including
public housing;
 Sensitive to natural hazards, particularly floods.
 Increase in intensity and frequency of rainfall
events due to climate change is likely to
exacerbate their vulnerability;
 Accommodating growth while protecting the
community from increasing risks from climate
change impacts;
 Continuing to support communities with low
socio-economic profile to reduce their
vulnerability to future climate change impacts.
Source: Low Choy D, Serrao-Neumann S, Baum S, Crick F, Sanò M, van Staden R, Harman B, Schuch G, Sharma V (2011) Hypothetical Case Study Elaboration,
unpublished report for the South East Queensland Climate Adaptation Research Initiative, Griffith University
Table S2: Selected adaptation options appraisal criteria
Criterion
Flexibility
Robustness
Source
Fankhauser et al. 1999;
Hallegatte 2009; UKCIP
2012
Hallegatte 2009
Equity
Adger et al. 2005; Adger
et al. 2009
Coherence/alignment
(synergy) – alignment
Coherence/alignment
(synergy) – enhancement
Hallegatte 2009; UKCIP
2012
Hallegatte 2009; UKCIP
2012
Acceptability – political,
bureaucratic, community
and private sector
Avoidance of
maladaptation – low
greenhouse gas emissions
Avoidance of
maladaptation – less
vulnerable populations
Avoidance of
maladaptation – low
opportunity costs
Avoidance of
maladaptation –
adaptation incentives
Avoidance of
maladaptation – low path
dependency
Adger et al. 2005 (based
on legitimacy)
Barnett and O’Neill 2010
Definition
The extent to which the option is responsive and flexible to
changing future conditions.
The extent to which the option is able to operate efficiently and
effectively across a wide range of variables/uncertainties; has no
contingent on third parties (limited dependencies); has minimal
impacts; and is not very risky.
The extent to which the option does not place
communities/regions/states in disadvantaged and improves current
situation/inequity.
The extent to which the option is consistent/aligned with other
strategic objectives, measures, policy goals and sectors.
The extent to which the option builds on or enhances the expected
outcomes from existing policies/initiatives in place before the
introduction of the climate change adaptation option.
The extent to which the option is stakeholder focused (including
politicians, decision makers, communities, private sector) and
provides solutions that are acceptable to wide range of stakeholders.
The extent to which the option does not increase greenhouse gas
emissions.
Barnett and O’Neill 2010
The extent to which the option does not contribute to burden
vulnerable populations.
Adger et al. 2005;
Hallegatte 2009; Barnett
and O’Neill 2010
Barnett and O’Neill 2010
The extent to which the option results in low or no opportunity
costs (social, environmental and economic costs).
Barnett and O’Neill 2010
The extent to which the option does not result in path decency, i.e.
actions that do not limit choices available to future generations.
The extent to which the option does not reduce incentives to adapt
(planned and autonomous adaptation).
Relevance to cross-sectoral integration
Provision of scope to identify potential trade-offs
between sectoral policies.
Provision of scope to identify potential trade-offs
between sectoral policies.
Provision of scope to identify potential trade-offs
across sectors leading to inequity.
Provision of scope to identify potential conflicts and
trade-offs across sectors;
Promotion of comprehensiveness, aggregation and
consistency across policy components, sectors and
levels of governance.
Provision of scope to identify potential conflicts
between sectors in terms of sector specific resistance/
barrier to adaptation.
Provision of scope to identify potential sector-specific
adaptation policies that could increase greenhouse
gases emissions.
Provision of scope to identify potential sector-specific
adaptation policies that could increase the vulnerability
of population.
Provision of scope to identify potential sector-specific
adaptation policies that could lead to high opportunity
costs to society, the environment and the economy.
Provision of scope to identify potential sector-specific
adaptation policies that could inhibit adaptation in
other sectors.
Provision of scope to identify potential sector-specific
adaptation policies that could increase path dependency
in climate change adaptation.
Table S3: Examples of programs relevant to coastal settlements distributed across adaptation themes
Adaptation Themes
Preparing the
Community
Urban Planning &
Management
Coastal Erosion Risk
Minimisation; Coastal Inundation
Risk Minimisation; Flood Risk
Minimisation
Coastal Management
Human Settlements Sector
Physical
Infrastructure
Community capacity and
engagement programs
Emergency Management
Human Health
Preparedness of private and community
sectors; Real estate sector and hazard
awareness
Community Capacity Building;
Integration with Emergency
Management
Support for Vulnerable
Communities
Community Planning;
Retrofitting of Residential
Properties
Preparedness of vulnerable
communities; Community education
and awareness raising campaigns for
vulnerable groups
Psychosocial Support
Leadership, including
Community Leadership
Leadership Development
Community Leadership
Leadership Development
through Collaboration
Proactive (Anticipatory)
Initiatives
Strategic Relocation and Upgrade
of Essential Emergency and
Health Services; Long-Term
(Strategic) Planning; Coordinated
Response to Sea Level Rise; Land
Use Conversion; Anticipatory
Planning Response
Management
Long term post-disaster recovery plan;
Post-disaster recovery in pre-disaster
plans; Community engagement
Service Continuity in Disaster;
Heat wave Management;
Improved Understanding
Managing the (Urban)
Environment
Consolidation of Urban
Development; Infrastructure
Sites; Building Code Design
Criteria; Planned Retreat; Coastal
Defence; Redundancy and BackUp for Essential Services and
Buildings; Protection of Coastal
Habitats
Beach nourishment in a changing
climate; Dunes restoration in a
changing climate; Storm tides
defence system; Retreat from high
coastal hazard areas; Restoration of
coastal environments; Space for
water; Design standards for
buildings and infrastructure
Operation of Roads;
Operation of
Stormwater System;
Finance for Roads;
Finance for
Stormwater
Systems;
Implementation
Emergency management integrated into
land use planning and development;
Emergency management integrated into
state planning policies; Strategic
relocation and upgrade of essential
emergency services; Redundancy and
back up for essential emergency
management services and facilities
Integration with Urban Planning
& Management; Integration
with Physical Infrastructure
Technological
Development and
Innovation
Innovative Design for Coastal
Areas; Flood Immunity;
Innovative Designs for Floods
Innovative erosion control
approaches
Road Design;
Stormwater Systems
Design
Risk Communication
Training and Education
Hazards Full Disclosure Clause;
Risk Communication on Climate
Change; Risk Allocation
Mechanisms
Capacity Building; Professional
and Sub-Professional Education
and Training
Community Risk Awareness ;
Improved Availability of
Information; Risk Management
& Population Health
Enhanced coastal education
Programs; Build capacity of
institutions to manage coastal
hazards
Education
Capacity building and training program;
Local government emergency
management capacity; Communication
between local councils
Supporting Volunteers