Incorporating community values into climate change planning: a guide for government

Abstract

Planning for climate change is not easy. Not only is it difficult to predict the exact environmental changes that will occur at any particular place and time, it is also challenging to ensure that the diverse needs of the community continue to be met.

This manual is intended for parties interested in achieving a just approach to adaptation. It provides a step-by-step guide of how to identify community values, relationships and activities that are likely to be impacted by climate change and adaptation, and how to implement a more equitable, fair and inclusive adaptation process.

The overall approach is called a Values Approach for Adaptation Planning (VAAP). There are six main steps involved:

1. Gathering information on climate scenarios and vulnerability 2. Scope potential values at risk 3. Confirm actual values at risk 4. Develop a profile of residents and their values 5. Identify scenarios to guide adaptation planning 6. Encourage community participation in development of adaptation stages

These six steps were developed and tested in five communities along the Gippsland East coast, Victoria—Lakes Entrance, Seaspray, Port Albert, McLoughlins Beach and Manns Beach. Throughout the manual examples from the project are used to show how each step can be conducted and the types of results that can be obtained.

It is hoped that this manual will be used by communities and local governments in Australia, and internationally, to expand the current focus of decision-making from the impacts of climate changes on health and finances to the less tangible factors that gives meaning to people’s everyday lives.