T2.42 - fact sheet http://tyndall.e-collaboration.co.uk/publications/fact_sheets/untitled/t2_...

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Identifying who and what can enhance adaptation along UK

coastlines
Coastal populations are vulnerable to many aspects of climate change, particularly sea level rise, increased erosion and the
impacts of extreme weather events. Their vulnerability is also influenced by the impacts of management decisions about
how to adapt to climate change hazards. It is vital to identify the relevant organisations and individuals, regulations and
policies to include in the planning process to enhance the adaptive capacity of coastal communities.

Dr Katrina Brown, from the University of East Anglia's School of Development Studies, and colleagues are investigating
differences in vulnerability between different people and communities along the UK coast, and how these differences affect
the ability to implement sustainable solutions to climate change. They will conduct interviews and focus groups at three
coastal sites in southern England, northwest Scotland and north Norfolk. The researchers will identify which sections of
society are most likely to be affected by climate change by assessing their vulnerability and ability to adapt. They will also
analyse the influence of different groups on policy development and implementation, to identify who is likely to make key
contributions to developing adaptive capacity. They will integrate information about environmental, economic and social
impacts of climate change to examine the outcomes of different adaptation options at the three sites. They will then
evaluate the possible adaptation options available for stakeholders identified as vulnerable or influential to analyse the best
ways of managing coastal resources to adapt to climate change. The final strand of the research will examine existing
institutions with responsibility for the coastal zone, to identify the constraints and opportunities for implementing
sustainable coastal management policies.

The results will provide recommendations for decision-makers at local, regional and national scales. They will link directly
with the findings of a Tyndall project assessing the vulnerability of the UK coastline and will contribute key information to
the Tyndall Centre's Regional Coastal Simulator. The project will also advance theoretical understanding of the links
between vulnerability and adaptive capacity.

A new Tyndall project is working with vulnerable communities and institutions around the UK coastline to recommend
sustainable adaptation strategies for local, regional and national decision-makers to cope with future impacts of climate
change.

More information

Contact the lead investigator of Project T2.42 (Responding to climate change: inclusive and integrated coastal analysis):
Dr Katrina Brown
School of Development Studies, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
Phone: +44 (0) 1603 59 3529; Fax: +44 (0) 1603 50 5262
Email: k.brown@uea.ac.uk

Other researchers involved in this project are:

Dr Roger Few and Dr Emma Tompkins, University of East Anglia

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T2.42 - fact sheet http://tyndall.e-collaboration.co.uk/publications/fact_sheets/untitled/t2_...

Dr Mikis Tsimplis, University of Southampton

Project duration:
October 2002 to September 2004

Useful web sites:

The Tyndall Centre: www.tyndall.ac.uk
University of East Anglia's School of Development Studies: www.uea.ac.uk/dev
DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) pages on flood management and coastal erosion:
www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/default.htm

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