Coastal Zone Management pty ltd.

• Articles from 2009

• Articles from 2008

UNFCCC approve Government of Kiribati Side Event for COP 15 in Copenhagen

13 November 2009

The Government of Kiribati are set to showcase recent achievements in climate change adaption programs in Kiribati at the upcoming COP 15 in Copenhagen. Side Events, run in parallel with negotiating sessions, provide an opportunity to showcase recent research climate change issues.

Including presentations from key agencies working on climate change issues, the event will allow the Kiribati voice to be heard on a global stage. Technical presentations will be mixed with opportunities for the audience to learn more about the I-Kiribati culture, and innate links between cultural heritage and the environment.

Dr. Robert Kay from CZM will be attending the event as part of the Kiribati delegation. The Company have been involved in climate change risk assessment and adaptation work in Kiribati for the past two years (under the KAP II Project).

The Kiribati Side Event will be held on 9 December 2009 at 13:00 CET, and will be webcast on the UNFCCC COP 15 website.

Blue Carbon Report is released in South Africa

October 2009

Three members of the CZM team recently contributed to the UNEP Blue Carbon: A Rapid Assessment Response report, both as content reviewers and copy editors. The report highlights the vital role of marine ecosystems, such as mangroves, salt marshes and seagrasses, in capturing and storing carbon. These marine ecosystems account for between 50% and 70% of all carbon storage in ocean sediments. As a result, preventing further loss and degradation of such ecosystems, and ensuring the recovery of already degraded systems, can potentially contribute to offsetting 3-7% of current fossil fuel emissions.

The report was released on 14 October at the DIVERSITAS biodiversity science conference, Cape Town Conference Center, South Africa. To download the report, or for more information, visit the UNEP News Centre.

CZM working to secure WA's climate change future

September 2009

CZM are working with the State Office of Climate Change to help define the future for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the State of Western Australia. Together with consultants at AECOM, CZM have been mentoring staff at the office and engaging key stakeholders to generate the best possible outcome for the State. The draft Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy (CCAMS) is due for public release in mid-2010. Through the numerous public consultation events to be held over the next few months and into 2010, government, industry and the general public will be able to contribute to the development of the strategy. Public consultation events will be advertised through local community newspapers and The West Australian newspaper.

CZM makes the shortlist to help WA local Governments cope with climate change

May 2009

In May 2009, CZM was selected to be on the Panel of Preferred Suppliers for Climate Change Consultancy Services to Western Australian Local Government through their member association (WALGA). CZM was one of eight companies selected from 35 applications. "WALGA told us about their rigorous selection process." said Robert Kay, CZM Principal Consultant. "We are pleased that our support to date for WA local governments, in assessing, planing and adapting to climate change impacts, has been recognised by WALGA. We look forward to the challenges and rewards in providing ongoing support to WALGA members." The panel will allow WALGA members to gain access Climate Change Consultancy services quickly and efficiently.

House of Representatives Inquiry Committee visits Western Australia

April 2009

Robert Kay, CZM Principal Consultant, assisted the City of Mandurah and Town of Cottesloe when the House of Representatives Inquiry Committee into Climate Change and Environmental Impacts of Coastal Areas visited Western Australia. "I was lucky to spend time with Committee members as they toured coastal sites of interest, observing the pressures faced by local governments in managing the coast and the potential impacts of climate change", said Robert. "Committee members asked thought provoking questions. It was clear to everyone they met during their visits that the Committee is fully engaged in the inquiry. It was interesting to see the inquiry's progress since the panel session I was involved in at the Coast to Coast conference last year".

Positive feedback about ICCAI consultation workshop

March 2009

CZM was selected as lead facilitator for the Australian Government's International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ICCAI) consultation workshop, held in Brisbane in March 2009. The purpose of the workshop was to gain feedback on the suite of activities proposed for the region under the ICCAI, in order to assist AusAID and the Australian Governments Department of Climate Change (DCC) in programming the initiative.

CZM designed and facilitated the four-day workshop. Ninety-seven participants from 15 countries in the Pacific region and Timor Leste attended, as well as representatives from Australian government agencies and other guest speakers. Feedback received on the Workshop was extremely positive, making the week rewarding for participants and facilitators alike. The event also provided opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues from the Pacific, including the chance to see the Brisbane Broncos beat the Melbourne storm!

UNEP Marine and Coastal Strategy starting to take shape

Febuary 2009

CZM are supporting the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in drafting their Marine and Coastal Strategy. The strategy will serve as a platform for UNEP's Marine and Coastal Programme of Work over the next few years. It will provide guidance and help coordinate UNEP's engagement in marine and coastal management, both within the organisation and with partner organisations. Expected completion of the strategy is in July 2009.

2009 is announced the Year of Climate Change

17 December 2008

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced 2009 will be the year of climate change. He noted positive progress had been made at the recent UNFCCC conference in Poznan, Poland. However, further long-term cooperation and agreement is needed to reach a global climate change deal which is "balanced, comprehensive and ratifiable by all nations."

Full media release is available at: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=29337&Cr=crises&Cr1

UNFCCC Resource Guide released

16 December 2008

Written by CZM, Module 2: Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, of the UNFCCC Resource guide for preparing the national communications of non-annex I parties, was released at the beginning of December at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP 9) in Poznan, Poland.

The module provides a guide to non-Annex I parties as to the drafting of the vulnerability and adaptation (V&A) section of their national communications. It provides an overview of some of the main methods, tools and data used for V&A, and directs the reader as to where to find software, additional documentation on methods and further information.

Further modules of the Resource Guide are due to be released in June 2009.

Modules 2 and 4 of the Resource Guide are available for download at: http://unfccc.int/essential_background/background_publications_htmlpdf/items/2625.php

Future Proofing Perth's Eastern Region

25 November 2008

CZM has been chosen to work on the Project "Future Proofing Perth's Eastern Region - Development of a Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Action Plan" for the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC).

Particular issues to be addressed through the Project include:

• Identifying, analysing and evaluating climate change risks to member Councils financial and physical/ infrastructure assets and associated services.
• Developing strategies to manage these identified climate change risks.
• Identifying issues that require further investigation, for climate change risks that have been identified, but are not well understood.
• Creating "local ownership" and instilling capacity to address the impacts of climate change and encouraging personal involvement in developing and implementing adaptation.

CZM will be providing a range of consulting services to work with EMRC and its Member Councils. The Project is funded as part of the Australian Government's Local Adaptation Pathways Programme.

Coastal Zone Management undertakes the City of Mandurah Climate Change Risk Assessment project

22 November 2008

In November 2008 CZM initiated the Coastal Zone Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Action Plan for the City of Mandurah.

The project objectives will be met though three key work phases outlined in Climate Change Impacts and Risk Management: A guide for business and government. The approach is to undertake coastal climate change risk assessment activities in tandem with adaptation assessment tasks. This ensures that the risk assessment delivers an output that successfully contributes to the final adaptation plan.

Both strategic and location-specific adaptation options for the City of Mandurah will be delivered.