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Strategies for Adaption to Sea Level Rise Strategies for Adaptation to Sea Level Rise By J. Dronkers, J. T. E. Gilbert, L.W. Butler, J.J. Carey, J. Campbell, E. James , C. McKenzie, R. Misdorp, N. Quin, K.L. Ries, P.C. Schroder, J.R. Spradley, J.G. Titus, L. Vallianos, and J. von Dadelszen Coastal Zone Management Subgroup Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 1990 The following document can be cited as: J. Dronkers, J. T. E. Gilbert, L.W. Butler, J.J. Carey, J. Campbell, E. James , C. McKenzie, R. Misdorp, N. Quin, K.L. Ries, P.C. Schroder, J.R. Spradley, J.G. Titus, L. Vallianos, and J. von Dadelszen. 1990. STRATEGIES FOR ADAPTION TO SEA LEVEL RISE. Report of the IPCC Coastal Zone Management Subgroup: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Geneva: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The primary referring page for this document is http://papers.risingsea.net/IPCC-1990-Strategies-for-Adaption-to-Sea-Level-Rise.html Report Of The Coastal Management Subgroup STRATEGIES FOR ADAPTION TO SEA LEVEL RISE Adaptive responses: Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change Response Strategies Working Group November, 1990 Report Of The Coastal Zone Management Subgroup STRATEGIES FOR ADAPTION TO SEA LEVEL RISE Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change Response Strategies Working Group November, 1990 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE (Chairmen) i ORGANIZATION OF THE CZM-WORK ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: CZMS iv CZM CHAIRMEN'S PROPOSALS FOR FUTURE ACTIVITIES viii 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. ADAPTIVE RESPONSES 6 3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF ADAPTIVE RESPONSES 9 4. ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS 13 5. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS 17 6. LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL IMPLICATIONS 19 7. PRIORITIES FOR ADAPTIVE RESPONSES 21 REFERENCES AND ENDNOTES 24 APPENDICES: A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: POLICYMAKERS RSWG 27 B. COMPENDIUM OF INFORMATION ON TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES IN ADAPTIVE COASTAL STRATEGIES 35 C. LAWS AND POLICIES FOR COASTAL MANAGEMENT OF SOUTH PACIFIC COASTAL AND ISLAND STATES 61 D. A WORLD-WIDE COST ESTIMATE OF BASIC COASTAL PROTECTION MEASURES 67 E. ADAPTIVE OPTIONS IDENTIFIED BY CZM WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS DURING A BRAINSTORMING SESSION 127 Acronyms: IPCC = Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change RSWG = Response Strategies Working Group CZMS = Coastal Zone Management Subgroup Originally published November 1990 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Response Strategies Working Group PREFACE This report represents the first survey on a global scale climate forcing by 2030, sea level rise is predicted to of adaptive options for coastal areas in response to a accelerate during the next century. Therefore, possible acceleration of sea level rise and the preparation for adaption is required. implications of these options. The report provides general information on options for a range of coastal May we take this opportunity to express the hope that areas which cover large continental states to small this publication will be used as a guide in the coastal islands. development of comprehensive plans for management of the coastal areas. We wish to thank the core group Many hundreds of millions of people live in the and chapter authors and all those who have made this world's coastal areas, where they enjoy the richness effort possible. and beauty of the sea. The sea provides resources, links coastal cities and provides opportunities for The Chairmen of the IPCC-Coastal Zone Management trade. Subgroup On the other hand, the sea often threatens the J. Gilbert P. Vellinga inhabitants of the coastal areas, demanding its toll in New Zealand the Netherlands human and natural resources. Heavy storms, hurricanes, tsunamis and typhoons can batter the coastal areas, causing disaster and distress. It was common concern of the impacts of an acceleration in sea level rise which brought together delegates from some 70 countries in two workshops, where they shared their experiences in the vast range of coastal problems. During the plenary sessions and especially during the "small group" discussions, expert knowledge from across the globe was exchanged, potential impacts of an acceleration in sea level rise were assessed and possible response alternatives were discussed. These efforts provided the basis for this report. The authors are very much indebted to the workshop participants for the many valuable contributions and to the reviewers of this report. Additional work is required, however in order to provide more specific technical information, as requested by workshop participants, to assist developing countries in assessing their vulnerability to sea level rise and in managing their coastal areas to reduce their vulnerability. Included in the report is a proposal to provide that assistance to developing countries. It is important that coastal states begin preparations for adaptation to sea level rise, because there are opportunities to avoid adverse impacts by acting now. Moreover, even with adoption of strategies to stabilize i Report of the Coastal Zone Management Subgroup Strategies for Adaption to Sea Level Rise ORGANIZATION OF THE CZM-WORK financial implications. In 1988, the World Meteorological Organization and The first workshop was held in Miami, Florida, in the the United Nations Environment Programme jointly United States in November 1989 and the second in established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Perth, Australia, in February 1990. Representatives Change (IPCC) under the chairmanship of Professor from about 70 countries participated in the workshops B. Bolin of Sweden. The Panel established three (including 50 developing countries). Both workshops working groups: identified adaptive options and listed tasks deserving priority attention. The Science Working Group (chaired by the UK) to assess the available scientific The participants at the Miami Workshop listed the information on climate change. following tasks: The Impacts Working Group (chaired by the identify coastal areas, populations and USSR) to assess the environmental and socio- resources at risk economic impacts of climate change. develop global and regional research and The Response Strategies Working Group monitoring systems (RSWG) (chaired by the USA) to formulate develop public awareness of risks to coastal response strategies. resources encourage integrated coastal area and The RSWG established four Subgroups to carry out a resource management work plan for formulating response strategies. Two of avoid further stress on coastal areas the Subgroups examined options to limit global collect and disseminate relevant data climate change (Energy and Industry and Agriculture provide technical and financial assistance for and Forestry); two examined adaptive options (Coastal research and management of coastal areas and Zone Management and Resource Use Management). resources in developing countries In addition, the RSWG examined Educational, use country-specific studies to evaluate Technical, Economic, Financial and Legal available adaptive options implications of all the response strategies. The adopt a framework convention on climate executive summary of the Policymakers Summary change to facilitate cooperative efforts to limit Report of the RSWG is provided in Appendix A. This and/or adapt to climate change. executive summary is based on the findings of the IPCC Science and Impact Working Groups and sets The participants at the Perth Workshop listed the out the strategy measures for limitation and adaptation following tasks: for both the shorter and longer terms. improve knowledge and understanding of physical processes involved in climate change The Coastal Zone Management Subgroup (CZMS) develop global, regional and national (chaired by New Zealand and The Netherlands) in monitoring systems May 1989, received the following task: identify coastal areas and islands at risk "To provide information and recommendations to develop education, training and technology national and international policy centres, enabling transfer mechanisms to increase awareness decision making on: encourage and assist development of national, (a) coastal zone management strategies for regional and international response strategies the next 10-20 years; and, and coastal zone management plans (b) long term policies dealing with limitation pursue risk reducing strategies on a national and/or adaptation with respect to climate level change/sea level rise". develop techniques for mitigation through cost effective approaches for adaptation The CZMS adopted a work plan which included two take into consideration vulnerability, different workshops to generate information on available needs and capacities of countries in financing adaptive response options and their environmental, produce guidelines for selection of adaptive economic, social, cultural, legal, institutional and options for sustainable management of the ii Originally published November 1990 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Response Strategies Working Group coastal zone Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Liberia, establish or strengthen within the United Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia Fed.St, The Nations existing mechanisms for information Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nigeria, dissemination Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, recognize the need for international Portugal, Senegal, Seychelles, South Korea, Spain, Sri mobilization of funds to be allocated to Lanka, St. Pierre & Miq., St. Vincent & Gr., Thailand, countries impacted by climate change Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunesia, Turkey, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, USA, USSR,
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