Qingdao coastal risks - Rebecca Nadin

Coastal Climate Risks in Qingdao:

Integrating non-structural measures into policy and

planning.Dr. Rebecca Nadin – ACCC Director

8 June 2016

The Adaptation to Climate Change in China Phase II (ACCC II) is a risk-based climate adaptation-planning project. It aims to introduce risk based adaptation approaches into 5 provinces – Guizhou, Jiangxi, Jilin, Inner Mongolia & Ningxia – and 1 municipality – Qingdao

ACCC II aims to provide provincial policy makers, researchers and technical experts with:

1. the research, data, technical and practical support for the development of Provincial climate risk management policies and plans .

2. training and capacity building for risk-based adaptation to those involved in the drafting, development and delivery of respective climate risk and resilience planning by introducing them to risk-based planning methodologies and concepts.

3. Develops and uses a risk based adaptation planning road map

4. Aims to share to share knowledge and learning with other developing countries.

Risk Focus:• Guizhou – karst desertification risk.• Inner Mongolia – grassland protection. Cross-sector links include – grassland protection and ecological compensation programmes

for herders, climate change, water resources, long-term use rights transfers, urbanisation, agriculture and energy• Jiangxi and Jilin – agriculture (rice) risks.• Ningxia – health risks among populations with chronic conditions.• Qingdao – coastal flood risks.

Partners: National Development and Reform Commission and Provincial Development Reform Commissions.

What is ACCC II

Qingdao context• Qingdao is a low-lying city, with

multiple bays and rivers running through the city

• Heavy urbanisation-loss of coastal ecosystems (marsh,mangroves, dune shrubs)

• Beach erosion – e.g. Lingshan Bay losing 70m/decade

• Loss of adequate sedimentation and heavy construction =soil compaction.

Coastal flooding in Qingdao is driven by:

• Typhoons (the 4 typical tracks opposite)

Associated • Surge• Wind waves• Heavy rainfall

ACCC II : • focus is on coastal flood risks and

opportunities. • Approx 400km of coastline

(including Qingdao Harbour)• Time scales of interest :Present day,

2020, 2030, 2050

Aim: • informing adaptation policy• quantifying future risks and the

ability of alternative adaptation options to reduce that risk

Qingdao Coastal Flooding Impacts

Non-structural/green solutions are likely to feature:At the shorelineRealignment of the shoreline (selective) – to provide sediment to the system and reduce maintain costs (where possible)Natural shoreline protection: To maintain a coastal buffer and avoid coastal squeeze (i.e. a narrowing of the beach as sea levels rise – allowing the shoreline to retreat in places). use of natural promontories to stabilise the beach Improved management of surface run-offSUDS (urban ponds), green roofs etc

Improved Spatial Planning for:New development areaslocation of critical infrastructuretype of buildings – more resilient Improved forecasting and warningSaving livesReducing Damage

ACCCII Managing Risk through a Portfolio of Responses

Flood management is changing: From flood control to strategic flood risk managementFRM:•Promotes resilience to extreme events and capable of adapting to unknown future change. •Manages risk through a portfolio of responses •Accepts no single response provides the whole solution and residual risks will always exist. •Uses creativity and innovation to deliver multiple benefits and attract multiple funders.

Growing Understanding Green infrastructure has:•The potential to contribute to both flood risk reduction and provide ancillary benefits across a wider range of ecosystem services.But•Grey solutions often prevail (as perceived to be more effective, efficient and easier to implement)

A desire to be innovative but delivery is not straightforward and requires a willingness to develop whole system solutions and work across sectors to develop portfolios of responses.

Considerations & Challenges: Integrating Non Structural/Green solutions in Policy and

Planning

Need for Balance grey and green infrastructure

Thank [email protected]