capitalising climate change knowledge for adaptation in the alpine space

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C3-Alps – Capitalising climate change knowledge for adaptation in the Alpine Space

Moving from knowledge to action

Wolfgang Lexer , Environment Agency Austria

CIRCLE-2 MOUNTain Final Meeting

Barcelona, Spain, 26-27 September 2013

Project coordinates

• Funding: ETC Alpine Space Programme 2007-2013

• Duration: 01/2012 – 12/2014

• LP: Umweltbundesamt GmbH (Environment Agency Austria)

• Partnership: 17 partners from all Alpine Space countries

(AT, DE, IT, F, SLO, CH, FL)

Idea & mission

Topic: Adaptation to climate change

Capitalisation of previously achieved project results and taking the steps forward towards implementation: Generating synthesis knowledge that is useable and useful to

policy- and decision-making

Transfer to target groups

Initiating, supporting and taking action on real-world adaptation processes

Available knowledge of climate change adaptation is reviewed, prepared, translated and made usable & accessible for the needs of…

decision makers in politics and administration

and of regions and municipalities

…to be implemented in regional and local adaptation initiatives, strategies, decisions, and day-to-day work.

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C3-Alps within the Alpine Space Programme

ClimChAlp

Climate change projects cluster

Strategic policy development

ParaMount

AlpWaterScarce

PermaNet

ClimAlpTour

AdaptAlp

CLISP

SILMAS

MANFRED

AlpFFIRS

Exploration & piloting Capitalisation & policy

implementation

Perceived need for action

Projects have achieved sound and partly excellent results

Mostly sector-specific and mono-thematic projects, results addressed to specific sectoral actors

Awareness of results outside of partnerhips often limited

Doubts about actual use and implementation of results by policy makers, decision makers, practitioners

Lack of long-term, sustainable effects?

Usability and practicability of results?

Knowledge transfer?

Behavioral change? Policy change?

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PP1

PP4

PP2

PP5

PP3

LP

WP4

WP5

WP7 WP6

Studies

Reports

Best Practice

Handbooks

Guidelines

Recommendations

„The typical (ETC) project“

The Project World.

The real world.

The outside world.

Does the mayor know about project

results?

If yes, what does he do with the English

language handbook?

Was he already waiting for project`s

guidelines, is he ready for action?

Is he able to adjust and implement the

project's recommendations in his

municipality?

„Nice. Safe. Cozy.“

Source: Florian Ballnus,

ACP Germany

Changes in the

real world!

Project

Results #2

Project

Results #3 Project

Results #4

Project

Results #5

Project

Results #6

Project

Results #1

Synthesis,

Transformation,

Transfer

Source: Florian Ballnus,

ACP Germany

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Challenge: Project information overflow

Here are all the results you might need!!

Do I need all the results?

Are they relevant to my needs?

Are they in the right format for me?

Do they really support my decision making?

? ? ?

? ?

Capitalisation approach in a nutshell

Generating and providing a synthesis inventory of CC(IV)A knowledge that cuts across sectors, is usable and useful to decision-makers, and driven by user needs of target groups

Knowledge transfer and communication to target groups (decision-makers, stakeholders, users)

Analyzing performance of existing adaptation policies, governance systems and the adaptation science-policy chain

Informing, supporting, preparing, and initiating the actual use and implementation of adaptation knowledge in policy-making and practice.

Supporting bottom-up action on regional adaptation strategies

Contributing to implementation and advancement of national adaptation strategies

Enhancing policy coherence

Capitalisation: „Moving from outputs to impacts!“

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Bridging the Knowledge-User-Divide

U S E F

U L

N E S S

Knowledge transfer, learning

User needs, communication requirements

Customizing information

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Objectives

1. Preparing state of the art synthesis knowledge inventory on

CCA, usable to decision makers and harmonized across sectors

2. Learning from existing adaptation policy performance to

enhance policy effectiveness and the science-policy interface

3. Developing and applying social science-based strategies for

communication, knowledge transfer and learning based on

target group research

4. Initiating, supporting & implementing tailored frameworks for

action on adaptation in Alpine pilot regions, municipalities and

at transnational scale

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WP5 Knowledge Transfer

WP3 Information & Publicity

WP6 Synthesis Knowledge Inventory

WP4 Adaptation Policy &

Governance

WP7 Piloting & Implementation

Public

Project Structure P

oli

cy M

aker P

an

el

Ad

vis

ory P

an

el

Pilot area stakeholders

Key outputs & results (I)

Adaptation synthesis knowledge base for the Alps (target group-oriented, cross-cutting, different levels of analysis)

Exposure - Impacts & vulnerabilities – adaptation policies - adaptation action portfolios – methods, tools, guidance – practice examples

Knowledge inventory – User guides to resources – thematic products - customized information products

Knowledge Inventory Web Platform for the Alpine Space

Synergizing, clustering and integrating existing web resources

Prototype and „business model“for continued operation & extension

Knowledge on target groups and criteria & guidance for preparing the synthesis knowledge inventory according to user needs and along didactic threads

Guidance, training materials, and coaching on communication of adaptation issues

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In-depth knowledge on the strengths & weaknesses, barriers & success factors of adaptation policy making and governance systems (institutions, actors, decision-making processes, vertical & horizontal coherence) in AS countries, including the science-policy chain and good examples

Policy options for enhancing effectiveness of adaptation policies & adaptation knowledge generation and of "good adaptation governance“

Delivering tailored adaptation strategies, action plans & decision support in pilot regions & municipalities

Permanent transnational platform for knowledge exchange between CCA policy makers

Expected key outputs & results (II)

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Objectives:

• Getting an overview of the state of climate change adaptation (CCA) policy making and governance in the Alpine Space

• Assessing the performance of climate adaptation policies

• Assessing strengths and weaknesses of adaptation governance systems; identifying good practices

• Reviewing the science-policy interface in adaptation decision-making

• Developing options and proposals for improving the performance of climate adaptation policies and for optimizing the science-policy interface

Supporting ongoing development of emerging national CCA strategies

Supporting development of regional CCA strategies

Supporting implementation of adopted CCA strategies

Adaptation policy & governance

WP4: Adaptation Policy & Governance

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Understanding of the climate change adaptation policy field

POLICY OUTPUTS

(decisions, policy document) IMPACTS, OUTCOMES

(direct effects, long-term benefits)

EXTERNAL FACTORS

(external to CCAP process)

+weather and/or disaster events + media activities

+ upcoming elections + other policies

DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES

(decision-making rules, involved stakeholders,

structures)

Boards, formal & informal working groups

Parts of a CCAP

IMPLEMENTATION

(actions, measures, activities)

GOVERNANCE

INPUT

(knowledge, resources,

events)

DRIVERS, MOTIVATIONS

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1) Stock-taking and screening of available CCA policies (CCA strategies & action plans; sector policies; laws & regulations; support activities)

2) Empirical evaluation and analysis of selected policies:

2.1) Territories with a policy document:

o Online questionnaire

o Structured in-depth interviews (interview guide)

o Manual for policy document analysis

2.2) Territories without a policy document:

o Structured in-depth interviews

• Evaluation conducted by: project partner teams

• Respondents, interviewees: policy makers, process owners, involved experts, participating stakeholders

Methods & work steps

OUTPUT

(enactment to form a formal board in charge of

CCA strategy development)

AGENDA SETTING & PREPARATION PROCESS

(informal board working towards CCA strategy)

Stage I

OUTPUT

(strategy document;

goals defined)

STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

PROCESS

(formal board working towards CCA strategy;

commitments)

Stage II

impact

Stage III

OUTPUT

(action plan; action fields defined; partl. actions

prioritised)

ACTION DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

(sectors, regions and stakeholders gather ideas

on actions to achieve goals; coordination and

priorisation of action fields)

impact

IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS

(sectors and regions/levels plan actions on the ground)

Stage IV

impact

IMPACT/OUTCOME

(coordinated action taken; damages from CC avoided;

opportunities from CC exploited)

Stage II-III: Policy formulation

NOT SHOWN

STAGE V MONITORING,

EVALUATION, POLICY REVISION

Liechtenstein

Piemonte (IT)

South-Tyrol (IT)

Veneto (IT)

Baden-Württemberg (DE)

Slovenia Switzerland

Austria

Bavaria (DE)

Rhone-Alpes (FR)

France

Italy (national level)

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• Country and region assessment reports

o Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Liechtenstein (national level)

o Piedmont (IT), South-Tyrol (IT), Baden-Württemberg (DE), Bavaria (DE), Rhone-Alpes (F)

• Transnational synthesis report (ARE/WSL)

Available products

Climate adaptation policies, governance and the science-policy interface in Alpine countries

Contents

• Strengths & weaknesses, barriers & facilitating factors

• Policy development process, policy document, implementation and impacts, science-policy interface

• Examples of „good adaptation governance“

• Policy recommendations (for stages of policy cycle)

Objectives

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- Embedding the project in a process- and target group- oriented perspective of communication, knowledge transfer and learning

- Knowledge on Target Groups (identification of core target groups, analysing their specific interests, user expectations, and information needs)

- Guidance & criteria for tailoring the knowledge base to user needs

- Capacity-building for communicating CCA knowledge and counseling pilot activities

- Communication strategies and delivery of key messages

Knowledge Transfer & Communication

Focus on communication is regarded as vital to transport climate change adaptation

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• Evaluation report on survey to learn about user needs

• Compilation of key messages (how to convey adaptation

concerns)

• Manual on communication challenges and how to overcome

them

• „CCA in still & moving pictures“

• Review of knowledge transfer experiences in regional

development

• Communication strategies (project - regional)

Outputs & results

Objectives

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• Preparing a state-of-the-art synthesis knowledge base on climate change & adaptation in the Alps that cuts across sectors, is useable and useful to policy- & decision-makers on different territorial levels, and focused on information & communication needs of target groups

o Knowledge pool: ASP projects plus selected other EU & national projects o Selection of knowledge products and design of knowledge base driven by target group

requirements o Nested levels of depth of analysis (searchable inventory, thematic collections, customized

products) o Focus on cross-sector issues and transferability of adaptation options o Considering maladaptation risks

• Establishing a lasting & user-friendly knowledge inventory web platform on adaptation in the Alps

o Synergizing, clustering and integrating existing web resources o Cooperating and coordinating with other platforms (Climate-Adapt, transnat., national, project-

based) o Prototype and „business model“for continued operation

Synthesis Knowledge Inventory

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Bringing available information …

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..into structure

Piloting & Implementation

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Objective:

Initiating, supporting & implementing tailored frameworks for action on adaptation in regions, municipalities & at transnational scale by implementing pilot capitalisation activities aimed at long-lasting impacts.

Features:

• Work in pilot areas (regions, municipalities)

• Supporting regional & local bottom-up action; contributing to implementation of National Adaptation Strategies

• Tailoring available results of WP4-6 to pilot area needs and applying them

• Learning from experiences made and feeding lessons learnt back to transnational project level

• “Catching them where they are”: Pilot activities have a different focus ranging from communication & information to concrete political action (depending on policy cycle state of pilot areas)

Expected results

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• Customized adaptation knowledge transferred to decision-makers & stakeholders in pilot regions & municipalities; behavioral change promoted; tested communication concepts, methods & materials

• Tested concept for "climate fitness audits/adaptation awards, operational standards & procedural guidance for municipalities; master plan for transnational implementation

• Tailored adaptation strategies, action plans & decision support delivered in pilot regions & municipalities

• Awareness raised, knowledge transferred, municipal council decisions on frameworks for action taken, implementation projects initiated and running, adaptation strategy processes running

• Lessons learnt from pilot activities

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13 Pilot Activities in Alpine regions & municipalities

Vinschgau/Val Venosta

Mostviertel

Gorenjska

Strategic adaptation activities on various levels

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• Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Document for Liechtenstein

(Liechtenstein)

• Changeable Mostviertel – fit into the climate future (Austria)

• Climate Change Adaptation Fitness Check: elaborated with the

municipalities of Schwindegg and Mittenwald; transferable to all

Alpine municipalities (Bavaria)

• Awareness raising and transfer of adaptation knowledge

(Koroska, Slovenia)

Pilot Activities I

Sectoral adaptation activities

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• Scenario planning for climate change adaptation in the field of spatial planning at the regional level (Gorenjska, Slovenia)

• Adaptation Strategies for the tourism sector in the Vinschgau/Venosta Valley (South-Tyrol, Italy)

• Climate change and local wildlife and biodiversity conservation in Verbano Cusio-Ossola (Piemonte, Italy

• Storm-adapted Forest Planning in the Nature Park Südschwarzwald (Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany)

• Sustainable forest management and planning in the Boite-Valley (Region Veneto, Italy)

Pilot Activities II

Activities with water focus

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Pilot Activities III

• Water Scarcity Index Determination in the Brenta River Basin

(Region Veneto, Italy)

• Water management and socio-economic development of

Megeve in the next decades (France)

• Water scarcity mitigation in the Savoie region (France)

Zoom-in examples of capitalisation activities in C3-Alps

How to make capitalisation operational?

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Alpine-wide online survey on information needs and communication profiles of core target groups of CCA knowledge

I) Online survey on target groups

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Identification of core dialogue groups (based on profession/role of respondents):

1. Municipalities (DG1) Local political decision makers and local administration: 138 (Mayors: 30; Members of Municipal Council: 17; Employees of Municipality/ Members of staff of municipal administration: 90)

2. Public administration (DG2) Regional /national level administration: 168

(Officers in public administration on national level: 40; Officers in public administration on regional level: 98; Officers in public administration on sub-regional level: 30)

– 13 close-ended questions

– 5 languages

– Invitation distributed via partners’ networks, emailing lists

– 3 months – 358 completed questionnaires

Summary & conclusions

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• CC effects on work that will increase in the future perceived by both DGs

• DG1 less experienced with CCA and deals with it less regularly

• CCA aspects with highest interest: Lower interest:

– Future CC scenarios Past scenarios

– CC impacts and vulnerabilities Guidance for adaptation processes

– Good practice examples Support for I&C and awareness raising (DG2)

• Level of information:

– Broad but not detailed overviews (DG1)

– Summarized info on state of knowledge (DG2)

• Information products with highest interest: Lower interest:

– Overview on existing information sources Databases of projects and studies

– Visualised information In-depth reports

– Geospatial information Compendium, fact sheets

– How to do manuals

Summary & conclusions

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• Information sources:

– Internet (DG 1+2)

– General press (DG1)

• Search for information on CCA:

– Relevant websites

– Google search

– Professional journals, events and direct contacts (DG2)

• Sectors with high interest in: Lower interest in:

– Spatial planning Tourism

– Natural hazard management Forestry

Platform for dialogue with users of adaptation knowledge

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II) The C3-Alps Advisory Panel

• To inform on project activities, available results and expected final outputs

• To discuss feedback, inputs and recommendations regarding the activities, methods and outputs of the project

• To learn from experiences and knowledge about target groups, their information needs and their communication requirements

• To identify needs for adjustments and changes in the project work in order to increase usability and usefulness of the results

• To further establish cooperation and exchange with other climate adaptation networks, platforms and initiatives

• In short, to check where C3-Alps is on the right track and where we could do better!

Series of informal exchange meetings of responsible policy makers from all 7 Alpine countries on the „Governance of climate change adaptation – national strategies and their implementation“

Goals

• to provide a platform for information exchange about adaptation policy processes among policy makers from the Alpine countries;

• to facilitate mutual learning about governance challenges, success factors and experiences in developing and implementing adaptation strategies;

• to promote tackling the truly transnational problem of climate change in a transnational and cross-border cooperation approach;

• to allow benefitting from synergies in jointly managing common challenges;

• to lay the ground for long-term transnational cooperation in the adaptation policy field in the Alpine Space.

III) Transnational platform of CCA policy makers

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• 1st meeting: 9th May 2012, Ittigen/Switzerland, BAFU

o Status quo of national CCA policy making

o Challenges and facilitating factors of CCA policies

• 2nd meeting: 15th May 2013, Vienna/Austria, UBA

o Implementation of national adaptation strategies across governance levels (vertical and horizontal coordination challenges)

o Representatives of EC, EEA, PSAC, 3 Austrian provincial state governments

• Technical follow-up expert workshop on the development of monitoring and evaluation systems for adaptation: June 2013

• 3rd meeting: April 2014, Bern/Switzerland, BAFU

• Perpetuation into a permanent transnational exchange process is in preparation

III) Transnational platform of CCA policy makers

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Some pictures…

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IV) Pilot activity Mostviertel (Lower Austria)

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Topics and goals

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Contact Lead Partner

Many thanks for your interest!

Wolfgang Lexer

Umweltbundesamt

Umweltfolgenabschätzung & Klimawandel

wolfgang.lexer@umweltbundesamt.at

T: +43 (0)1 31304 3480

Jochen Bürgel

Umweltbundesamt

Umweltfolgenabschätzung & Klimawandel

jochen.buergel@umweltbundesamt.at

T: +43 (0)1 31304 5962

Umweltbundesamt

www.umweltbundesamt.at

C3-Alps Projektwebsite

www.c3alps.eu

capitalising climate change knowledge for adaptation in the alpine space

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