Answer:4 Effects on local government functions and services
Key points:
Assessing the effects of climate change can be broken down into manageable steps, as follows:
Use Tables 4.1 and 4.2 to identify specific resource effects relating to identified functions and services, and associated climate variables.
If undertaking an initial screening analysis, use this information in association with material in chapter 5 (and its references to chapters 2 and 3 and Appendix 3) to evaluate whether climate change is likely to be a consideration in the particular area or issue. Then, decide on the need for further information and analysis.
Use Table 4.3 to identify relevant sources of information and expertise.
Identify, as far as possible, the limitations (assumptions and assessment capability) that exist.
Use the examples in Section 4.3 as a guide to summarising the above information for the particular area or issue.
Review any published information (Table 4.4) and, if appropriate, consult relevant experts (Table 4.3).
4.1 Introduction
This chapter provides guidance on identifying which local government functions and activities could be affected by the climate changes and fluctuations identified in chapters 2 and 3. It lists key climate influences and possible effects of climate change, for each of these functions and activities. It provides guidance on data, sources of information, models and specialist expertise in New Zealand that councils can use, along with the climate change scenarios covered by chapter 5, to quantify the likely magnitude of particular effects. Examples are given of some expected climate change effects, from studies that have been carried out in various parts of New Zealand.
The interactions between climate change and local government functions and services are likely to be quite complex. Identifying which effects are important in terms of responding now might seem quite a daunting task. However, assessing the effects of climate change can be broken down into manageable steps, as explained in chapter 1, and risk assessment can be used to guide judgements on where to focus adaptation effort (chapter 6). Practical hints are as follows:
Staff responsible for a particular council function or service should integrate consideration of climate change into their assessment and planning activities.
Prioritise and then focus on only those functions and services of importance to your council and for which climate change may have a material effect.
For a particular function or service, start out with a straightforward initial screening analysis using simple initial estimates of how climate factors relevant to this function may change (chapter 5). It is necessary to embark on a more detailed effects study only if this initial analysis indicates material climate change impacts or opportunities are likely.
4.1.1 Making use of this chapter
This chapter provides resource material to help users follow through the assessment steps outlined in the ‘Roadmaps’ at the beginning of this Guidance Manual. We recommend that you refer to Figures R1 and R2, and to the Risk Assessment chapter (particularly section 6.4) for background. There are two particular ways in which information from the current chapter can be applied:
(a) When assessing effects of climate change on a particular council function or responsibility (Roadmap Figure R1). In this case, examine the entry for this particular function in Table 4.1 and the related entries in Table 4.2 to identify key climate variables and possible climate change effects. Then, use Table 4.3 for guidance on sources of information, models and expertise for use in quantifying these effects, in combination with the climate scenario guidance from chapter 5.
(b) When identifying and prioritising climate change risks and opportunities across all council functions and opportunities (Roadmap Figure R2). In this case, most of the entries in Tables 4.1 and 4.2 should be examined; they will aid identifying the council functions possibly affected by climate change and the key climate influences on them. Once these functions have been identified, an initial screening analysis can be performed (the fifth box on the left of Figure R2), using scenarios from chapter 5 and information from Table 4.3.
4.1.2 Making use of Tables 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3
Central to these tables is the link:
Key climate influence - Possible effects
Table 4.1 looks at this relationship from the perspective of:
Who is affected That is, which function(s)/asset(s)/activity(ies) – primarily of interest to city and district councils
Table 4.2 looks at this relationship from the perspective of:
What is affected That is, which resource(s) – (primarily of interest to regional councils
Table 4.3 provides useful information for all councils.
Tables 4.2 and 4.3 both help the reader through an assessment:
by looking at the present and future (Table 4.2)
by identifying who has expertise and what tools could be used (Table 4.3).