City of Melbourne Climate Change Adaptation Strategy

The City of Melbourne, Australia released their Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in June 2009. This plan, funded by the Australian Governments Department of Climate Change, broadly addresses how Melbourne can prepare for four climate impacts: reduced rainfall and drought, extreme heatwaves and bushfires, intense rainfall and wind storms, and sea-level risk.

The plan contextualizes Melbourne’s adaptation needs within the particular demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the city, including rapid population growth and its large transient population. The plan also assess how various city functions are likely to respond to climate related risks, including the Melbourne's water, energy, and transportation systems.

To assess its overall risk, Melbourne developed a matrix that analyzes the likelihood and severity of a risk on one axis, and the effectiveness of potential responses on the other axis. Within each of the four climate impacts, the plan identifies specific risks (ranging from insufficient water, to loss of revenue due to canceled sporting events) and assesses them across three time horizons: 2010, 2030, and 2070. Each risk is assigned a numeric value based on the risk matrix—with severe and difficult to manage risks receiving the highest value. Overall, the plan identifies heatwaves as one of the most significant risks, especially for the elderly and infirmed. Additionally, the plan identifies that flash flooding will likely cause large disruptions, especially when paired with power outages.

Section 9 describes the adaptation actions that Melbourne can pursue now and in the future to address its climate risk. Each adaptation measure is assessed based on its ability to address a variety of risks. In section 10, the plan identifies two key “high value” adaptation measures that will provide widespread benefits for the city:

  • Stormwater harvesting (see section 10.1) – capturing stormwater can help in drought events by preserving a needed resource and reducing the pressure on drainage systems during intense rainfall.
  • Passive cooling (see section 10.3) – taking measures to reduce the city’s temperatures can reduce public safety risks during heat events, minimize the stress on the power system, and support energy efficiency goals. 

 

 

Publication Date: June 2009

Related Organizations:

  • City of Melbourne, Australia

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Resource Types:

  • Adaptation plan

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