12 Climate risk management
The aim of climate risk management is to plan for the implementation of adaptation measures. It involves the following steps: (1) identification of the specific adaptation objectives; (2) identification and selection of adaptation measures; (3) development of monitoring indicators; and (4) planning for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the adaptation measures.
Identification of specific adaptation objectives
Specific adaptation objectives serve to establish the targets to be achieved and the deadlines to be met for the risk reduction and adaptation. These specific objectives structure the adaptation effort and provide guidance on the type of measures to be implemented. They also serve as a “dashboard” and guide for coordinating and mobilizing stakeholders. This step is an opportunity to take a critical look at the results of the risk analysis in order to modulate the adaptation strategy in accordance with the issues. Thus, for a situation with safety issues or possible loss of life and a long-term adaptation time window, it may be appropriate to be more conservative and consider the SSP5-8.5 scenario and a longer-term time horizon in establishing adaptation objectives, in the aim of minimizing risks and maximizing resilience. For more moderate risks, progressive adaptation based on the SSP3-7.0 scenario could be considered, accompanied by adaptation measures that can be adjusted over time. The adaptation objectives and the strategy for implementing the adaptation approach depend on several factors, including risk tolerance, available resources, the time window available to implement the measures, and the target risk levels of the adaptation.
Identification and selection of adaptation measures
An inventory of potential adaptation measures can be generated initially without considering the specific constraints on their implementation (costs, technical feasibility, social acceptability, etc.). Several general guides and lists of these measures are available1. The selection of measures should be based on criteria related to the risk (e.g. risk reduction capacity, useful life of the system, socio-economic and environmental consequences of the measures) and the technical, operational and financial aspects (e.g. technical feasibility, implementation and maintenance costs, availability of funding, and the ability to obtain approvals for funding, planning, implementation and monitoring). Selecting measures based on more structured prioritization methods should also be considered2. It should be noted that measures that are labelled as “adaptation measures” are often ones that are already known and documented. For example, green infrastructure is often mentioned as a climate change adaptation measure for stormwater management. But it’s also recognized as a best practice since it has several complementary advantages.
Development of monitoring indicators
Developing monitoring indicators is essential, though difficult. Three types of indicators must be defined to cover different aspects of the adaptation process: (a) monitoring of specific objectives and climate risk reduction; (b) monitoring of the progress of the timetable for implementing measures; and (c) the effectiveness and performance of the adaptation measures implemented. These indicators must be clear, simple to estimate and interpret, linked to measurable targets, and accompanied by a timetable indicating when they will be estimated. Table B.4 presents examples of indicators.
Implementation, monitoring and evaluation of adaptation measures
The selected adaptation measures should be organized into a planning schedule. This timetable must be established based on the risks that are deemed to be a priority (see Fact Sheet B.3), but also based on factors such as financing opportunities or the stakeholders’ willingness to act. Several pieces of information will need to be compiled in order to plan and monitor the selected measures that are required to estimate the chosen indicators. This information will be used to obtain an overall view of the roles and responsibilities of the different parties involved, as well as the progress of the implementation of the measures and their effectiveness. Monitoring and evaluating the adaptation program is a difficult exercise that requires significant time and effort and is often neglected.
| Indicators | Metric Evaluated |
|---|---|
| Percentage of adaptation measures identified and implemented | Enables monitoring of the progress of the implementation of the adaptation process |
| Total of impermeable surfaces rendered permeable or where water is redirected to infiltration zones | Enables the assessment of the volume of water not conveyed to the system, thereby helping reduce the risks associated with urban flooding and overflows |
| Number of deaths attributable to extreme heat episodes | Enables the assessment of the effectiveness of the adaptation measures taken to counter the risks associated with heat waves |