Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan
To respond to the increasing risks, Council is developing a comprehensive Climate Change Strategy (CCS) that incorporates its Carbon Footprint Reduction Plan and draft Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan, where actions are taken by Council to prepare for actual or expected changes in the climate in Huon Valley in order to minimise harm, act on opportunities, and cope with consequences to Council within its sphere of control. The actions described in the CCS are driven by the need to identify and manage risks to Council assets and services, meet the expectations of Council’s insurers, manage the financial risks associated with a changing climate, limit legal liability in relation to development decision-making and asset performance, meet community expectations to act, keep up with changing demands on Council services, and fill gaps in Council’s adaptive capacity.
Themes are broad areas of focus that organize the plan’s Goals into coherent categories for objective and action setting. They encapsulate the key domains of adaptation activity, from infrastructure resilience and ecosystem management to community engagement and policy integration. The following Themes and Goals were developed through an iterative process, whereby, following a first pass risk assessment and review of local climate planning options, the potential climate initiatives were sorted based on shared characteristics.
The CCS includes the following themes and goals:
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Integrated Preparedness, Response and Adaptation
These goals focus on the foundational role of the Huon Valley Council in fostering a resilient community and environment in the face of climate change. Each area is pivotal to ensuring that the Council’s operations, services, and the broader community are prepared for, can withstand, and adapt to the varied impacts of climate change. The goals emphasise an integrated approach to climate adaptation, where infrastructure resilience, emergency preparedness, and environmental conservation are seen as interconnected pillars. This integrated perspective ensures that the Council’s efforts in climate adaptation are comprehensive, enhancing the community’s capacity to adapt to and thrive amidst the challenges of a changing climate.
Organisational and Governance Resilience
These goals aim to strengthen the internal mechanisms of the Huon Valley Council, ensuring that it operates within a robust legal and policy framework that is adaptable to the challenges posed by climate change. The goals are pivotal for embedding climate change adaptation into the core of Council operations, covering aspects of risk management, legal compliance, planning and policy integration, and the wellness and adaptability of the Council’s workforce. The CCS generally advocates for a governance framework that is dynamic, legally compliant, and geared towards continuous improvement. This ensures that the Council leads by example in climate adaptation and operates efficiently and effectively in a rapidly changing environmental landscape, with a well-supported and adaptable workforce at its core.
Sustainable Adaptation Framework
These goals address the critical enablers of effective climate change adaptation: knowledge enhancement and financial viability. The goals underpin all strategic climate adaptation actions by focusing on building the necessary intellectual capital and securing the financial resources required to implement those actions. It underscores the importance of an informed, well-resourced approach to adaptation, providing the backbone for the comprehensive and successful execution of the plan. The theme creates a solid foundation for all other climate adaptation efforts outlined in the CCS. It ensures that the Council’s adaptation approach is informed by the latest knowledge and supported by a stable and sustainable financial base.
Community Empowerment and Sectoral Resilience
These goals underscore the crucial role of community engagement, education, and the strengthening of local sectors in building a climate-resilient Huon Valley. Although taking a secondary focus within the CCS, this theme lays the groundwork for mobilising community action and enhancing the resilience of various sectors against climate change impacts. It reflects the Council’s commitment to leveraging its direct control and responsibility to facilitate a community-wide approach to climate adaptation. It acknowledges the power of collective action and the importance of supporting the community and local sectors in their adaptation efforts.
Emissions Reduction and Mitigatory Actions
These goals reiterate Council’s commitment to reduce its emissions and mitigate contributions to climate change. Recognising that Council is prioritising adaptation first and foremost, goals under this theme reflect current and potential efforts for Council and the community to reduce emissions. The actions are revisions to the previous Part A – Carbon Footprint Reduction Plan.