Transcript Document

Results from the research
Extreme weather,
climate change
& the community
sector
The NCCARF Project
 Background:
ACOSS & Climate Risk
 Research
questions: vulnerability and
resilience/adaptive capacity
 Research
methods: literature review,
workshops, national survey
 Outputs:
Systems analysis, failure and
adaptation modes, risk and adaptation
registers
The literature: GAPS in the knowledge
Research question
Type of evidence
A gap in the literature?
1. Are people experiencing poverty and social
disadvantage in developed countries more
susceptible than the general community to climate
change, particularly extreme weather events?
Peer-reviewed literature
SOME GAPS related to
specific groups (eg.
homeless people)
2. Is there evidence that CWOs increase the resilience ACOSS sector survey,
of people experiencing poverty and social
AIHW and PC data
disadvantage?
3. Has the potential role and importance of the
Sector analysis
community welfare sector in climate change
adaptation been recognised in the literature?
Clear evidence
4. Are community welfare sector organisations at risk
of failure or strain from climate change, particularly
impacts to infrastructure?
Proxy evidence from SME
and health sectors
KEY GAP
5. Do specific adaptation strategies exist for CWOs in
order for them to continue carrying out their role in
supporting people experiencing poverty and social
disadvantage under climate change?
Sector research and
KEY GAP
analysis (UK and Australia).
KEY GAP
THERE ARE KEY GAPS IN THE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE SECTOR’S
ROLE IN SUPPORTING DISASTER RESILIENCE AND ADAPTATION
Filling the knowledge gaps
•
Through the project we worked to fill the gaps –
•
•
•
Using proxies from the SME, health and
emergency management sectors in the literature
and
Using data from the workshops and the survey
We now have the evidence base needed to
answer the research questions presented
National survey – summary of
key findings
1.
2.
3.
The sector and its client base is highly
vulnerable and not well prepared respond
to climate change and extreme weather
impacts – particularly to infrastructure
Resilience indicators based on responses
to risk identified: size, knowledge and past
experience of extreme events
Being located in NSW and WA was found
to be negatively correlated with robust
organisational responses to risk
National survey – summary of
key findings (cont.)
1.
2.
3.
There is a clear willingness to respond to
CC and EW risks within the sector
However, community service
organisations feel unable to act at
present
The survey has identified specialist
resources, skills and facilities within the
sector which would enable it to
contribute to community resilience and
disaster preparedness
Vulnerability to direct impacts
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
A day
A week
A
A month Not
fortnight
possible
Don't
know
Length of time to make alternative arrangements for service provision if
buildings/premises inaccessible?
Preparedness is
Assets (buildings, contents, cars)
Contracts
Income
No
Partly
Business continuity
Yes
Local staff absence
Volunteers
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Insurance against losses caused by extreme events
70%
A clear willingness to act
Already done
Want to do
Don't want to do
N/A
Help clients prepare for climate change impacts
Extend organisation's insurance cover
Climate change adaptation plan
Plan for collaborative service provision during extreme
events
Reduce utility bills
Change method of service delivery
Relocate offices or centres
Upgrade organisational infrastructure
Disaster management plan
Climate change risk assessment
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
What adaptation actions would organisations like to take if resources available?
Barriers to adaptation
Lack of funds to implement adaptation actions
293
Beyond the scope of the organisation
208
Lack of clear government policies and guidelines
192
Lack of staff
191
Lack of information about relevant adaptation…
188
Lack of awareness about the impacts of climate…
180
Lack of necessary skills base
178
No time to spare
175
Concern about impact on service provision of…
163
High cost of adaptation actions
157
Lack of clear mandate or internal consensus
100
Concern about negative client response if funds…
87
Lack of organisational belief in climate change
44
Other (please specify)
27
0%
20%
40%
Barriers to adaptation for organisations
60%
80%
Supporting resilience - we
have a lot to offer
Specialist assets/facilities (eg. disabled
transport)
Specialist services related to your main areas
of service provision
Volunteer management
Financial counselling
Legal assistance
Yes
General/trauma counselling
No
Health care
Crisis accommodation
Financial assistance/emergency relief
Contact and locate clients
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Assistance organisations could provide to clients after an extreme weather events
Resilience indicators

Knowledge about climate change

Past experience of an extreme event

Organisational size

The challenge: communicating climate
change risks to clients and service delivery in
a way that spurs the sector to action without
organisations having to experience directly
the devastation of an extreme event
Priorities for the sector
Preparedness
Resilience/adaptive
Collaboration
capacity
& networks
What do we need to achieve
these priorities?
 The
evidence base
 Multi-directional
 Funding
 Tools,
advocacy
and resources
metrics and benchmarks