Creating Resilient Futures : Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Change Adaptation Agendas

This open access edited volume critically examines a coherence building opportunity between Climate Change Adaptation, the Sustainable Development Goals and Disaster Risk Reduction agendas through presenting best practice approaches, and supporting Irish and international case studies. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted existing global inequalities and demonstrated the scope and scale of cascading socio-ecological impacts. The impacts of climate change on our global communities will likely dwarf the disruption brought on by the pandemic, and moreover, these impacts will be more diffuse and pervasive over a longer timeframe. This edited volume considers opportunities to address global challenges in the context of developing resilience as an integrated development continuum instead of through independent and siloed agendas. Acknowledgements Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables 1: Introduction: Can the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement, and Agenda 2030 Provide a Path Towards Societal Resilience? The Problem Lessons Learned Challenges and Solutions Challenges Potential Solutions References Section I: Best Practice Approaches 2: Why Does Making Connections Through Resilience Indicators Matter? Introduction Resilience as an Integrating Concept ‘Measuring’ Resilience Developing Synergies Among Indicators Tools for Revealing Links Across Agendas Conclusion References 3: Coherence, Alignment and Integration: Understanding the Legal Relationship Between Sustainable Development, Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Introduction Methodology Results and Discussion Sources and Enforcement of International Law Relationship Between International Law and Soft Law The ‘Hourglass’ Model: Coherence, Alignment and Integration Systemic Coherence: The Need for Consistency Vertical Alignment: From International to National/Sub-National (and Back) Horizontal Integration: Mainstreaming into Domestic Law and Policy Conclusions References 4: Bridging Gaps: Connecting Climate Change Risk Assessments with Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Agendas Introduction Conceptualising Current and Emergent Risks Assessing Risk Connecting Existing Frameworks Discussion/Conclusion References Section II: Irish Case Studies 5: Enhancing Integration of Disaster Risk and Climate Change Adaptation into Irish Emergency Planning Introduction Methodology Integration of Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk in Irish Policy and Planning Alignment with Global and Regional Drivers of Integration Planning for Climate Change Adaptation and Emergency Management at Sectoral and Local Authority Levels Sector Adaptation Planning Local Authority Adaptation Planning Research Outcomes Practitioner Perceptions of Risk, Level of Adaptation and Principal Response Agencies’ Ability to Cope with Extreme Weather-Related Disasters Practitioner Perceptions of the Six Pathways to Integrated Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Sharing Knowledge Harmonising Capacity Institutionalising Coordination Engaging Stakeholders Leveraging Investment and Financing Developing Communication Conclusions References 6: Clothing the Emperor: Supporting National Climate Change Action in Ireland Through Local Governance Networks Introduction Governance: Theoretical Concepts The Emperor’s Clothes Governing Climate Change Action in Ireland The Town of Youghal, County Cork Clothing the Emperor References 7: Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation into Planning and Development: A Case Study in Northern Ireland Introduction Climate Change and the Case for Local Authority Adaptation Planning Policy Context and Potential Integration Opportunities National Policy Local Policy and Plans Adaptation Plan Development Further Mainstreaming Outcomes and Opportunities Assets and Capital Development Operations and Services Green Infrastructure Heritage and Culture Planning and Building Control People and Policy Reflections and Lessons Learned References Section III: International Case Studies 8: Sustainability, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation: Building from the Bottom Up – A South African Perspective from the Small-scale Fisheries Sector Introduction South Africa’s Policy and Legal Framework for Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Introduction National Strategy for Sustainable Development National Environmental Management Act Coastal Management Disaster Risk Management Climate Change Small-Scale Fisheries Policy Coastal Fishing Communities in South Africa Findings Discussion Lack of a Holistic and Integrated Approach Lack of Alignment and Policy Coherence at National Level Mismatch Between Policy Rhetoric and Implementation Role of NGOs and Other Actors in Facilitating Change and Building Resilience Integrating Bottom-Up Local-Level Planning Both Vertically and Horizontally Conclusion References 9: Adapting to Climate Change Through Disaster Risk Reduction in the Caribbean: Lessons from the Global South in Tackling the Sustainable Development Goals Introduction ‘Not-So-Natural’ Disasters and Climate Justice Reducing Risks and Tackling the SDGs on the Ground Conclusions References 10: Towards a Resilient Riverine Community: A Case Study in Sadong Jaya, Sarawak, Malaysia Introduction Methodology Results and Discussion Livelihoods and Experiences of the Local Community in Sadong Jaya Adapting, Building Resilience and Reducing Vulnerability in Sadong Jaya Challenges for the Future Conclusions References 11: Reimagining Our Menu for Sustainable Development Introduction Mammals Matter Revising Our Menu for the SDGs Goal 2: Zero Hunger Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Goal 13: Climate Action Goal 14: Life Below Water Goal 15: Life on Land Conclusions and Recommendations A Transformative Change Is Needed References Index This excellent text recognises that efforts towards improving development outcomes must work in concert with strategies which promote planetary health and support the transition to a sustainable and climate-resilient future. -- Rt Hon Helen Clark, Patron, The Helen Clark Foundation, Auckland, New Zealand. The threat multiplier of climate change is carefully used to examine best practice in a series of excellent case studies exploring the three related responses of disaster risk reduction, sustainable development and climate change adaptation. --Emeritus Professor John Sweeney, Irish Climate Analysis and Research UnitS (ICARUS), Maynooth University, Ireland This book provides concrete examples, through case studies from Ireland and around the world, to help illustrate what it means to think and act simultaneously on development, disasters and climate. -- Dr. Lisa Schipper, Environmental Social Science Research Fellow, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, United Kingdom. This edited volume critically examines the coherence building opportunity between Climate Change Adaptation, the Sustainable Development Goals and Disaster Risk Reduction agendas. The authors consider opportunities to address the global challenge of developing resilience, as an integrated development continuum instead of through independent and siloed agendas. Stephen Flood is an environmental social science researcher working on various aspects of climate change adaptation, sustainability and resilience. He is based at the Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units (ICARUS), Maynooth University. Yairen Jerez Columbié investigates cultural exchange, postcolonial ecologies and the sociohistorical and cultural dimensions of environmental challenges. She is an Assistant Professor in Latin American Studies and Intercultural Communication at Trinity College Dublin. Martin Le Tissier is the lead PI for the Identifying Interactions for SDG Implementation in Ireland and Achieving Resilience in the Marine and Coastal Environment of Ireland EPA funded projects based at MaREI. Barry O'Dwyer is lead researcher in the area of impacts and adaptation at MaREI and is leading the development and delivery of Climate Ireland, Ireland's national resource of climate change and adaptation information This excellent text recognises that efforts towards improving development outcomes must work in concert with strategies which promote planetary health and support the transition to a sustainable and climate-resilient future. Rt Hon Helen Clark, Patron, The Helen Clark Foundation, Auckland, New Zealand. The threat multiplier of climate change is carefully used to examine best practice in a series of excellent case studies exploring the three related responses of disaster risk reduction, sustainable development and climate change adaptation. Emeritus Professor John Sweeney, Irish Climate Analysis and Research UnitS (ICARUS), Maynooth University, Ireland This book provides concrete examples, through case studies from Ireland and around the world, to help illustrate what it means to think and act simultaneously on development, disasters and climate. Dr. Lisa Schipper, Environmental Social Science Research Fellow, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, United Kingdom. This edited volume critically examines the coherence building opportunity between Climate Change Adaptation, the Sustainable Development Goals and Disaster Risk Reduction agendas. The authors consider opportunities to address the global challenge of developing resilience, as an integrated development continuum instead of through independent and siloed agendas. Stephen Flood is an environmental social science researcher working on various aspects of climate change adaptation, sustainability and resilience. He is based at the Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units (ICARUS), Maynooth University. Yairen Jerez Columbie investigates cultural exchange, postcolonial ecologies and the sociohistorical and cultural dimensions of environmental challenges. She is an Assistant Professor in Latin American Studies and Intercultural Communication at Trinity College Dublin. Martin Le Tissier is the lead PI for the Identifying Interactions for SDG Implementation in Ireland and Achieving Resilience in the Marine and Coastal Environment of Ireland EPA funded projects based at MaREI. Barry ODwyer is lead researcher in the area of impacts and adaptation at MaREI and is leading the development and delivery of Climate Ireland, Irelands national resource of climate change and adaptation information