extreme weather, climate change & the community sector results from the research
TRANSCRIPT
Extreme weather, climate change & the community sector
Results from the research
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
THERE ARE KEY GAPS IN THE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE SECTOR’S ROLE IN SUPPORTING DISASTER RESILIENCE AND ADAPTATION
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 of people experiencing poverty and social disadvantage?
ACOSS sector survey, AIHW and PC data
Clear evidence
3. Has the potential role and importance of the community welfare sector in climate change adaptation been recognised in the literature?
Sector analysis KEY GAP
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 analysis (UK and Australia).
KEY GAP
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 findings1. The sector and its client base is highly
vulnerable and not well prepared respond to climate change and extreme weather impacts – particularly to infrastructure
2. Resilience indicators based on responses to risk identified: size, knowledge and past experience of extreme events
3. 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. There is a clear willingness to respond
to CC and EW risks within the sector2. However, community service
organisations feel unable to act at present
3. 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
A da
y
A wee
k
A fo
rtnig
ht
A m
onth
Not p
ossibl
e
Don't
know
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Length of time to make alternative arrangements for service provision if buildings/premises inaccessible?
Preparedness is
Volunteers
Local staff absence
Business continuity
Income
Contracts
Assets (buildings, contents, cars)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
NoPartlyYes
Insurance against losses caused by extreme events
A clear willingness to act
Climate change risk assessment
Disaster management plan
Upgrade organisational infrastructure
Relocate offices or centres
Change method of service delivery
Reduce utility bills
Plan for collaborative service provision during extreme events
Climate change adaptation plan
Extend organisation's insurance cover
Help clients prepare for climate change impacts
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Already done Want to do Don't want to do N/A
What adaptation actions would organisations like to take if resources available?
Barriers to adaptation
Other (please specify)
Lack of organisational belief in climate change
Concern about negative client response if funds diverted from services to adaptation
Lack of clear mandate or internal consensus
High cost of adaptation actions
Concern about impact on service provision of diverting funds
No time to spare
Lack of necessary skills base
Lack of awareness about the impacts of climate change in the local area
Lack of information about relevant adaptation actions
Lack of staff
Lack of clear government policies and guidelines
Beyond the scope of the organisation
Lack of funds to implement adaptation actions
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
27
44
87
100
157
163
175
178
180
188
191
192
208
293
Barriers to adaptation for organisations
Supporting resilience - we have a lot to offer
Contact and locate clients
Financial assistance/emergency relief
Crisis accommodation
Health care
General/trauma counselling
Legal assistance
Financial counselling
Volunteer management
Specialist services related to your main areas of service provision
Specialist assets/facilities (eg. disabled transport)
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
YesNo
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 capacity
Collaboration & networks
What do we need to achieve these priorities?The evidence base
Multi-directional advocacy
Funding and resources
Tools, metrics and benchmarks