This document summarizes climate change adaptation efforts occurring at multiple levels of governance in relation to the Great Barrier Reef. It describes adaptation activities undertaken by governments, communities, and businesses. It also examines the roles of different organizations, the types of adaptation strategies employed, and the triggers driving adaptation. Preliminary results suggest adaptation is occurring at all levels of governance but predominantly at higher levels. Future directions discussed include analyzing the interactions between adaptation strategies across levels.

1. Adapting to Climate Change at Multiple Governance Levels Pedro Fidelman Adapting to Climate Change at Multiple Governance Levels Pedro Fidelman 12 August 2010

5. Impacts on the GBR © Pedro Fidelman 2010

6. Adaptation Adjustment by individuals, groups and organisations to any real or perceived climate change that enhances or reduces ability to cope with or adapt to climate change (IPCC, 2001) © Pedro Fidelman 2010

10. Role of Governments in Australia (LGAQ, 2007) © Pedro Fidelman 2010

11. Adaptation Organisations © Pedro Fidelman 2010 Level Organisation Responsibility Cross-level Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Policies that require cooperative action by multiple levels of government Federal Department of Climate Change & Energy Efficiency Implementation of parts of the National Climate Change Adaptation Framework. State Queensland Office of Climate Change Coordination, implementation and review of Queensland’s climate change strategies Local Local Councils Wide range of land use and planning activities, and services relevant to adaptation

12. Preliminary Results

16. Purposefulness “… there is a range of other risks faced by the Reef, including climate change… Separate processes are underway to address these issues and as such they are not included in the scope of this Plan.” (Reef Plan, 2003: 4) “ By improving water quality, governments along with rural industry groups and landholders can help the Reef become more resilient and better able to withstand the impacts of climate change.” (Reef Plan, 2009: 8) © Pedro Fidelman 2010

22. Future Directions

24. Link between strategy and responsible organisation Nat’l CC Adaptation Framework Dept. of Environ., Water, Heritage & Arts GBR Marine Park Authority GBR CC Action Plan Plans & Programs Caring for Our Country Dept. of Environment & Resource Mgt Dept. of Infrastructure & Planning Regional Plans Dept. of the Premier & Cabinet Reef Secretariat Reef Plan Natural Resource Management Bodies Natural Resource Mgt Programs & Plans Local Councils Local Gov Strategies INT’L FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL LOCAL Organisations and Adaptation Strategies Organisation Strategy (e.g., policy, measure) Nat’l Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility Reef Rescue Dept. of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry CC Vulnerability Assessment UN Framework Climate Change Convention United Nations Nat’l CC Adaptation Program Office of Climate Change CSIRO IPCC Climate Change Adaptation Guide Local Government Association of QLD Council of Australian Governments Dept. of Climate Change & Energy Efficiency Australia Local Gov Association Policies ClimateSmart Adaptation Assessments Research State and Reg’l Coastal Mgt Plans Governance Level © Pedro Fidelman 2010

25. Link between strategy and responsible organisation Nat’l CC Adaptation Framework Dept. of Environ., Water, Heritage & Arts GBR Marine Park Authority GBR CC Action Plan Plans & Programs Caring for Our Country Dept. of Environment & Resource Mgt Dept. of Infrastructure & Planning Regional Plans Dept. of the Premier & Cabinet Reef Secretariat Reef Plan Natural Resource Management Bodies Natural Resource Mgt Programs & Plans Local Councils Local Gov Strategies INT’L FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL LOCAL Institutional Interplay Vertical Institutional Interplay (actual or potential) Organisation Strategy (e.g., policy, measure) Horizontal Nat’l Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility Reef Rescue Dept. of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry CC Vulnerability Assessment UN Framework Climate Change Convention United Nations Nat’l CC Adaptation Program Office of Climate Change CSIRO IPCC Climate Change Adaptation Guide Local Government Association of QLD Council of Australian Governments Dept. of Climate Change & Energy Efficiency Australia Local Gov Association Policies ClimateSmart Adaptation Assessments Research State and Reg’l Coastal Mgt Plans © Pedro Fidelman 2010

28. Patterns of Interplay (Young, 2006) © Pedro Fidelman 2010

29. Analysis of Overlap (Ekstrom et al., 2009) Marine mammal (US federal law) © Pedro Fidelman 2010

30. Analysis of Functional Fit (Ekstrom & Young, 2009) © Pedro Fidelman 2010