Engaging the stakeholder in formulating national adaptation strategies in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR)

Transcription

1 Engaging the stakeholder in formulating national adaptation strategies in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) Dr. Grit Martinez, Ecologic Institute Berlin Tallin, 29 May 2012

2 This presentation is divided into six parts: 1. Something about cultural approaches to adaptation, national strategies and related projects in the BSR 2. Experiences from RADOST (Regional Adaptation Strategies for the German Baltic Sea Region) 3. Survey of perceptions, knowledge and needs of local political decision makers regarding climate change 4. Conclusions/ Recommendation from the first survey in Germany 5. RADOST-Trailer (8 min)

3 The History of the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) is.. a history of co-operation and conflict. Fishing, navigation, sea trading these were the activities which connected the people of the Baltic Sea. Culture came via water. Until the end of the Cold War countries around the rim of the Baltic Sea shared very little in common: cultural, historical, economic, religious and linguistic differences, let alone centuries-long geopolitical rivalries made this area anything but united.. In fact, a BSR has never existed before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Source: Dr. Mindaugas Jurkynas, University Vilnius

4 Overview of the status of national adaptation Strategies in the Baltic Sea Region.The countries of the BSR are at various stages of preparing, developing or implementing their national adaptation strategies. Progress depends foremost on the political will and the resources available to adapt, but also on a number of other factors, including the extent and nature of observed climate change effects, the assessment of current and future climate vulnerability and the early involvement of all stakeholders.. Source: RADOST-Primer (authors: Reid/Stuke)

5 A number of initiatives and projects are ongoing (or recently concluded) that have produced research of significant relevance to (coastal) adaptation activities in the Baltic Sea from top-down or bottom up perspectives, e.g. BaltCICA BalticClimate KALME Balt adapt Baltclim RA:dOst ASTRA

6 Regional Adaptation Strategies for the German Baltic Sea Coast (RADOST) RADOST Project Region und Fokus Areas Aim: To provide assistance for local decision makers and produce transferabe solutions.

7 RADOST project structure Stakeholders in the Region/ Implementation Projects with Local Partners Modul 1: Network und Dialoge (Ecologic Institue) Coastal Protection (URCE, StAUN) Tourism & Beach Management (EUCC-D) Water Management & Agriculture (IOW) Ports & Maritime Economy (IÖW) Nature Conservation & Use (IfAÖ) Renewable Energie (GICON) Modul 2 Natural Science (IOW) Modul 3 Socio- Economic (IÖW) Modul 4 International (Ecologic Institue) Modul 5 National/ International Dissemination and Comunication (Ecologic Institue)

8 Coastal Erosion after Extreme Events Fotos: Bay of Kiel Alliance

9 Quality of Water- and Beaches Mossbauer M, Dahlke S, Haller I, Schernewski G (submitted). Management of stranded eelgrass and macro-algae along the German Baltic coastline. In Ocean and Coastal Management Ohrenqualle (Aurelia) Photo: Dr. G. Niedzwiedz

10 19 implementation projects with local partners illustrate economic opportunities of innovative responses to climate change. - Construction of artificial reefs (Stabilize beaches and create diving grounds for tourists) - Bay of Kiel Alliance (17 communities build a joint regional management for future tourism development)/ Local Learning Centres for tourists - Development of local adaptation strategies for the region s main tourist area: the beach (prevention of congestion, peak load control, technical measures for reducing algae blooms/ seaweed) - Coastal protection and geothermal energy generation - Reduction of nutrient inputs through retention ponds - Concepts for the aquaculture industry

11 Example Klima-Pavillon at the Beach of Schöneberg/ near Kiel

12 Two German states border the Baltic Sea: Schleswig Holstein and Mecklenburg-Pomerania. They have multiple similarities to other coastal regions in the BSR. 1. Geography/ coastal morphology: All coasts are situated in an enclosed sea basin, hence similar climate change related effects can be expected.

13 Also: E.g. wetlands and islands of the Darss Peninsular (Germany) have similar features e.g. to Baltic Sea regions in Poland (Oder Haff) and Curonian Spit (Lithuania/ Russia)

14 2. Economies Baltic Sea states which are long term EU member states are wealthy nations with similar technical/ financial resources and hence have capacities for the implementation of adaptation measures. New EU member states in the Baltic Sea region are often economies in transition with many issues to tackle in addition to climate change. Also adaptation strategies/ measures are mainly new issues. 3. Governance systems and socio-cultural factors

15 Our Research Hypothesis: Human culture is driving political economy which is driving public policy. We explore: How socio-cultural factors can be tapped to engage regional decision makers and citizen in shaping/ implementing adaptation strategies and measures in the BSR. Methods: Web-based polls and online surveys, personal interviews, ethnographic studies, workshops.

16

17 Online-survey - Knowledge Consumption PolPer: Baltic Spring 2011: A survey of political stakeholders perceptions of climate change and adaptation in the Baltic Sea region (Dennis Bray and Grit Martinez) The leading research questions of the survey were: How do regional decision makers make use of scientific information? Do they have the motivation to adapt to the impacts of climate change? What are obstacles to adaptation?

18 How do regional decision makers make use of scientific information? The results of science that you refer to in order to make decisions are often Not understandable Very understandable q6 Of little use Of great use q7 The regional political decision makers do not find scientific information overly understandable or of significant use in its current format.

19 0 Percent Do they have the motivation to adapt to the impacts of climate change? Are adaptation measures required? Yes Concerning climate change and sea level rise, policy and action should focus on No 1 2 q q18 Mitigation Adaptation In your opinion, adaptive strategies, should they be necessary, should be q31 Proactive reatctive

20 q 2 6 a q 2 6 b q 2 6 c q 2 6 d q 2 6 e q 2 6 f What are obstacles to adaptation? Hinderance to the Implentation of Regional Adaptation Strategies. In your opinion, if adaptation measures are necessary, how much do the following concerns prevent adequate adaptation measures from being put into place? Not at all Very much Costs Lack of Certainty Lack of Knowledge of Impacts Lack of Interregional co-operation Priority of other issues Lack of technology Economic concerns are definitely at the forefront of implementing adaptation measures.

21 Conclusions According to regional political decision makers in the German Baltic region, climate change and sea level rise are perceived of as problems and there is a need for proactive and immediate action in adaptation. Financial resources are a constraint to motivation to adaptation. Further barriers are lack of pragmatism from local authorities/ interregional co-operation. Lack of understanding scientific information. Which concrete adaptation activities can be undertaken are often unclear. Adaptation is a cross-cutting issues.

22 Recommendations -Continue with awareness raising on adaptation needs and measures -Conduct sectoral vulnerability assessments at national and local level -Co-operate across sectors, administrative levels, regions -Foster knowledge transfer -Involve(all!) of your stakeholders (who are they?) -Secure implementation of adaptation strategies and measures, and monitor progress. - Communicate benefits of pro-active adaptation, explore positive development opportunities and forster transfer of best examples

23 Thank you! Full report online available! or to take away at the front desc