Framing project
Framing project
Framing multi-level and multi-actor adaptation responses in the Victorian context.
Latest publications:
Working Paper 1 for the Framing Project and Executive Summary and Working Paper 2 have been released.
The April 2011 Framing Project Update, the June 2011 Framing Project Update and the November Framing Project Update's are also available.
Past publications:
The final report from the Framing Adaptation Stakeholder workshop held on 16 February is now available.
The update from the Framing Adaptation Stakeholder Workshop held on 16 February is available by clicking here.
The February 2011 Framing Project Update is available by clicking here.
The December 2010 Framing Project Update is also available.
Click here for a copy of the project summary as a pdf document.
Project objectives:
This is an 18 month project which aims to develop and test an operational framing of adaptation which will act as a decision-making ‘roadmap’ to better inform adaptation policy and practice by Victorian authorities at the local and regional levels. To achieve this, the project is structured according to four discrete work packages: WP1 – an overarching framework for adaptation (the ‘roadmap’), WP2 – preliminary economic analysis of climate change impacts, WP3 – framework development in selected case studies, WP4 – exploring local narratives.
Research team:
The project is led by Associate Professor Darryn McEvoy, leader of the Climate Change Adaptation Programme at RMIT University. Under his supervision, a newly appointed Research Fellow will be responsible for the primary research associated with the development of the adaptation framework, as well as working closely with other members of the multi-institutional research team. The consortium includes Prof John Handmer (RMIT University) and Prof Rod Keenan (University of Melbourne) who lead WP2, and Prof Ray Ison (Monash Sustainability Institute) who leads WP4. There will also be close engagement with key local stakeholders - DSE, MAV, and other partners in the case study areas (WP3).
Rationale:
Whilst responding to the challenges posed by climate change has risen up political agendas in recent times, due to the sheer complexity of the issue it is often unclear what we actually mean by adaptation; and more fundamentally there is limited understanding about how adaptation good practice can be actively supported. This framing project aims to develop and refine an authoritative, scientifically robust, and coherent decisionsupport framework that is ‘fit for purpose’ to different situations and actors in Victoria. The development of a structured and transparent adaptation framework, tailored to the regional context and refined in collaboration with end-users, will provide a valuable shared knowledge resource for local and regional decision-makers. In support of this agenda the programme of research will 1) coordinate existing knowledge and enhance current understanding of context specific risk and adaptation issues, 2) develop a coherent structure to underpin regional adaptation activity, 3) provide strategic direction and support for more informed decisionmaking processes, and 4) contribute to the building of local adaptive capacity.
Methodology:
Each of the work packages will involve close working with relevant government bodies (local to national) to ensure that the research activity is fully cognisant and supportive of multi-level policy developments. Advisory groups will be established as appropriate.
WP1: Framing adaptation (18 months duration)
Framing multi-level and multi-actor adaptation responses forms the central pillar of this research proposal. As a consequence of the complex nature of adaptation, the value of top down approaches will be limited; rather what is needed for effective adaptation activity is a joined-up approach combining top down and bottom up perspectives i.e. whilst there is obviously a need for high-level vision and strategic framework, it is clear that a ‘one size fits all’ approach is not appropriate given the context-specific nature of climate risks and adaptation responses. However, whilst a prescriptive step-by-step guide is not feasible under these constraints, it is still possible to ‘signpost’ some of the key considerations that need to be addressed. As such, this overarching framing will cover a full spectrum of actions associated with adaptation (from assessing risk and opportunities arising from a changing climate, through to adaptation as both process and outcome, decision-making processes, and communication). This knowledge will also be used to inform the development of a DSE local adaptation model, with the Research Fellow contributing to relevant chapters of the ‘Adaptation at Place’ guidance document.
Objectives:
- To review and critically analyse national and international adaptation guidance initiatives (and their constituent parts);
- To identify the key transferable lessons and knowledge which can be used to inform the development of
the adaptation framework, ensuring that it is grounded on sound scientific principles; - To test and iteratively reframe the structure and content in collaboration with decision-makers at different
scales to ensure that the framing is ‘fit for purpose’ (see WP3); - To use the knowledge gained to contribute to the development of adaptation frameworks tailored to the
chosen case study areas.
Deliverables:
- Scoping document (month 4);
- Adaptation roadmap: guidance for decision-makers (month 18);
- Academic contribution to DSE local adaptation model (month 18).
WP2: Economic analysis of current and future climate impacts (12 months)
This work package will undertake an evaluation of existing approaches for economic impact assessment to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies. Analysis will also produce preliminary estimates of the costs of climate change to vulnerable sectors in Victoria, both in the current context and under future climate change scenarios. Finally, consideration will be given to how best to frame the complexity associated with costing adaptation responses under conditions of uncertainty. Due to time and resourcing constraints, the project will not be able to provide final figures for the costs of climate change and adaptation, but it will provide the basis for a more detailed examination of these issues.
Objectives:
- To undertake an assessment and critique of existing approaches and frameworks for climate change economic impact assessment;
- To establish indicative estimates of the current cost of climate anomalies where practicable for vulnerable
Victorian sectors; - To identify and assess future potential losses under a range of different climate change scenarios;
- To set the foundations for a more detailed cost benefit analysis of adaptation.
Deliverables:
- Conceptual report based on a review of economic impact assessment methodologies, and their strengths and weaknesses re application in different Australian contexts (joint VCCCAR / NCCARF);
- Preliminary costing of current and future impacts for key vulnerable sectors in Victoria (VCCCAR);
- Critical analysis and framing of approaches for costing adaptation (joint VCCCAR / NCCARF).
WP3: Framework and narrative refinement in selected case studies (continuous)
The proposal has been intentionally designed to be solutions-orientated, with the research activity closely aligned with, and supportive of, ongoing policy activity in Victoria in order to ensure added value to both the research effort and the informing of decision-makers in different local contexts. The research team will work closely with DSE, MAV and key stakeholders in four case studies (Port Fairy and three to be confirmed in negotiation with MAV). These will form the basis for iterative engagement with stakeholders established from the outset of the project. This engagement process will be used to inform both the adaptation framework (WP1) and the development of local narratives (WP4). Advisory panels will be set up to guide research activity in each of the case studies – these will consist of core research members, MAV and DSE personnel as applicable, and also extend to include senior policymakers with responsibility for climate change decisions, and appropriate experts as circumstances in each of the case studies dictate.
Objectives:
To use a small portfolio of case studies (representative of different locations and settings, exposure to different stressors, and differing governance arrangements) to:
- Enable iterative reframing and refinement of the adaptation framework in real world settings;
- Engage with a range of different Victorian stakeholders, and ongoing activity, for the informing of
narratives; - Promote a participatory setting which informs the development of both context specific and transferable
adaptation guidance through a process of mutual learning and consensus building; - Consider issues of mainstreaming and multi-level governance.
Deliverables:
- Final report on each of the case studies (month 18).
WP4: Exploring local narratives (12 months)
Adaptation activity is strongly influenced by perceptions of risk either driven by underlying value and belief systems, or recent personal experience of weather-related extreme events, or as built into historical institutional arrangements and practices. How different actors perceive climate risks and differentiate risk from uncertainty (and how they think these will impact their activity) will ultimately be a critical influence on how individuals and organisations respond. This cross cutting theme will look at the narrative settings and the historical institutional basis which major stakeholder groups bring to their engagement with climate change adaptation. It is intended that work in each of the case studies will deliver theoretical and methodological advances as well as changes in understandings and practices amongst key stakeholders. The exact focus of the narratives will be identified according to the interests of local stakeholders.
Objectives:
- Through engagement with actors in selected case studies (Port Fairy being the primary focus, plus others to be determined), explore the perceptions and attitudes of different stakeholders to climate-related risks and
the management of uncertainty; - Analyse how traditions constrain (or promote) innovation and change for climate change adaptation;
- Synthesise findings to consider implications for the framing of adaptation across situations.
Deliverables:
- Stand-alone report for DSE on attitudes and values (Port Fairy);
- Reports for other case studies (to be determined in consultation with relevant stakeholders).
Collaboration:
Agreement has been reached with DSE and MAV for the project to actively support research activity through ensuring access to relevant ongoing regional and local activity (DSE – Port Fairy, as part of their Adaptation at Place initiative; and MAV – three case studies to be decided, though likely to involve one metropolitan council, one provincial city, and a peri-urban location). By engaging with existing activity in Victoria this project will not only provide valuable academic support, but will also benefit from the considerable in-kind support as represented by existing networks, the hosting and organisation of workshops and the like. In the Port Fairy case study, research will be directed to actively support the Adaptation at Place work programme; in the other case studies research will contribute to the development of local climate change action plans. This commitment to Port Fairy will involve the Research Fellow acting as a lead actor on the development of the DSE local adaptation model. WP4 will also deliver a report on climate change attitudes and values.
Find out more about the Framing project:
Project coordinator: Hartmut Fuenfgeld, Climate Change Adaptation Program, RMIT University
Email: hartmut.fuenfgeld@rmit.edu.au
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| VCCCAR framing project for web.pdf | 141.63 KB |
| Framing_Project_Update_Dec2010.pdf | 83.99 KB |
| Framing_workshop_update_Feb2011.pdf | 173.69 KB |
| VCCCAR_Framing_workshop_report_final_220311.pdf | 765.33 KB |
| VCCCAR_Framing_Project_Update_April_2011.pdf | 48.7 KB |
| Framing_project_workingpaper1_executive_summary_240511.pdf | 78.73 KB |
| Framing_project_workingpaper1_240511.pdf | 491.16 KB |
| Framing_project_workingpaper2_240511.pdf | 708.2 KB |
| Framing_project_workingpaper1_240611.pdf | 498.88 KB |
| Framing_project_update_June_2011.pdf | 788.76 KB |
| Framing_project_update_November_2011.pdf | 200.6 KB |
