Strategic Climate Change Adaptation Plan

1. MS - Project “Identification and implementation of adaptation response measures in Drini-Mati River Delta (DRMD)” National Conference , Tirana , 3 - 4 November 2011 Strategic Climate Change Adaptation Plan Dr Robert Kay, Coastal Zone Management P.L/ Australia

2. Defining Risk • ISO 31000 – defines risk as: “effect of uncertainty on objectives”. • So risk is positive and negative • And …. must be a risk to something (an objective)

5. Risk Workshops • Initial September 2009 Risk Assessment Workshop with project team to develop methods • Community-based workshops Lezhë on 24-25 May 2010 • Follow-up meetings with local commune representatives were undertaken post workshop (June/July 2010) to finalise the adaptation outputs.

8. Outcomes • A total of 42 climate change risks were identified and evaluated • Extreme 40% • High 29% • Medium 31%. • Low Zero • This is significant, in that all risks identified were assessed as requiring some form of management intervention.

9. Highest Priority Risks (1) • Risks to the built environment were rated as extreme. Economic prosperity is closely tied to infrastructure assets in the region. For example, the tourism and agriculture sectors are significantly reliant on maintaining built infrastructure. Impacts on coastal and river pathways and roads would restrict the ability for tourists to travel to and from the area. Similarly, it would also impact the supply chain of goods and services needed to supply these and other industries.

10. Highest Priority Risks (2) • Risks to the natural environment were also rated as extreme. Maintaining fresh water availability and quality was a significant risk for the region. The impacts of altered rainfall regimes on hydrology, and the associated reduction in the capacity of reservoirs may lead to increased pressure on water supply.

11. Highest Priority Risks (3) • Biodiversity loss and species extinction were considered extreme risks, as was the resulting reduced social amenity. The region’s tourism industry would be impacted by ecosystem changes. The high social value placed on the natural system was evident through this priority ranking.

12. Lack of controls • 95 % of risks either • currently have no controls in place to manage them; or • there are ‘guidance tools’ in place (for example guidelines or policies) but no management action. • This fact points to a very significant adaptation challenge – both to support the implementation of existing management approaches and to develop new approaches.

13. Regional priority adaptation actions identified • Enhance adaptation technology development • Update regulations to ensure effective management under a changing climate • Review and amend design specification. • Disseminate climate change information throughout levels of government. • Review and amend existing legislation to align to management objectives in light of projected climate changes • Extend DMRD protected area network planning and coverage to allow ecosystem migration

14. Commune-specific adaptation priorities • Coastal erosion management (Fushë Kuqe Commune) • Flooding control (Shënkoll commune) • Protected area network enhancement (Shëngjin commune) • Adaptation Technology Development – better irrigation/groundwater use, coastal erosion • Capacity building and awareness-raising

15. Example: Green= Implementation Priority Red = Barriers and Opportunities

16. Summary • Strategic Climate Change Adaptation Plan provided vital input into the project • Needs to be considered along side: • Subsequent technical work undertaken on impacts • Other perspectives and inputs on adaptation priorities

17. THANK YOU! FALEMINDERIT!