BUSINESS ADVISORY
Sydney, Australia
October 31st, 2006
climaterisk.net

Initial Assessment of Implication of the Stern Review on Local Government and Planning in Australia.
Central Role of Planners in Adaptation
The role of planning for climate change mitigation and adaptation has been stated strongly by Stern. Planners are educated to “balance a complex range of economic, social, and environmental objectives. However, design and implementation can have important implications for mitigating climate change and also has the potential to influence the resilience to the impacts of climate change (p.384).

The Stern review has cemented the argument that planners are central to the implementation of Australian policy responses to climate change at local, regional, state and national levels. They will be at the forefront of mitigation and adaptation strategies and as such need to be adequately prepared. Stern sees planning as “a key tool for encouraging both private and public investment towards locations that are less vulnerable to climate risks today and in the future” (p.420).
Shortage of Planners could hinder Australian Adaptation

According to the review the Government has a role in providing a clear policy framework to guide effective adaptation . . .in the medium and longer term’ partly through the use of land use planning standards. However, the national shortage of planners in Australia will provide a challenge for implementing a very clear policy. The National Inquiry into Planning Education and Employment “found serious labour-market deficiencies, concerns that planners were not always able to access appropriate training, and widespread acknowledgement that most planners experience unacceptable stress in the workplace” (PIA 2004, p.i).

Decision Maker Communications Essential
The review highlights that the “effective communication to stakeholders will also be required. Information should not be too complex and should provide practical pointers without being excessively prescriptive, because local choice and flexibility are important” (p.419). This confirms recent research undertaken by Burton (2006) shows that translating the science into lay terms is a key impediment to local governments climate change planning. At present many local governments may not have the capacity to decipher the complex climate science and translate them into lay terms for decision makers.
The Stern proposal can be compared with a recent report by the Planning Institute of Australia which highlighted that:

• The planning profession currently does not have the tools available to address climate change
• Climate is of interest and concern to planners
• Forecasts are seen as too uncertain and lack political and community support
• There is an expectation nationally and internationally that planning will do ’something’ to address climate change.

Planning Cost Benefit Driver
Stern suggests that “adaptation actions should be integrated into development policy and planning at every level [which] will incur incremental adaptation costs relative to plans that ignore climate change. But ignoring climate change is not a viable option - inaction will be far more costly than adaptation” (p.430). Lyth (2006) has noted that adaptation has not featured highly in recent House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage Inquiry into sustainable cities. Also Lyth notes that adaptation planning has little depth in the Sydney, Melbourne and South East Queensland Regional Plans.

Urban Design and Land Use

In regards to climate change mitigation the Stern shows the important role of planning. “Urban design and land use planning regulations have the potential to facilitate a less energy intensive society, while balancing a range of wider economic and social objectives.” The current policy focus toward the containment of urban sprawl in current planning has strong overlaps with this Stern recommendation. However there elements of public transport and alternatives to car use includingpedestrian and cycle access policies are not strong features. The current Australian focus on roads and tunnels to alleviate congestion may in fact dilute many of the sustainability aims of local and regional plans which are consistent with Stern.

Issues Facing Planners in light of Stern

A range of planning questions emerge in order to adequately address to the Stern report:
1) To what extent do existing planning schemes, regional plans, local environmental plans etc allow or prohibit for climate change mitigation and adaptation and if these plans are inadequate do they need an amendment or is reform required?
2) Do planners and other key decision makers have the adequate knowledge or access to information to make the best decisions? How can this knowledge be increased with a translation the science into lay terms?

3) What risks do Australian human settlements face? What are the economic,social and ecological cost/ benefits associated with climate change mitigation and adaptation? What level of resilience is required?
4) Are current institutional arrangements adequately prepared to deal with changing policies needed to address climate change?
5) What opportunities are available? That is what are the ancillary benefits and economies of scale that can be gained from mitigating and adapting to climate change?
The Stern report provides and interesting perspective that the economy is strongly connected with the natural environment and social fabric, and so planners have a role in guiding social, ecological, and economic resilience to the impacts of climate change.

BUSINESS ADVISORY
Sydney, Australia
October 31st, 2006
climaterisk.net
Climate Risk Pty Ltd, 35 Lauderdale Ave, Fairlight, NSW 2094, Australia
Climate Risk Europe Ltd, Raven House, 113 Fairfield St., Manchester M12 6EL, UK
References
Lyth, A (2006) `Climate Proofing Australian Urban Planning: Working towards Successful Adaptation’. Australian Planner, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp.12-15
Burton, D (2006) `A Brief Look at South East Queensland’s Approach to Climate Change Mitigation’. Australian Planner, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp.16-19
Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) (2004) `Findings and Recommendations of the National Inquiry into Planning Education and Employment’
Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) Sustainable Regional and Urban Communities Adapting to Climate Change, www.planning.org.au