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Compendium on methods and tools to evaluate impacts of, vulnerability and adaptation to, climate
change
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Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Common Methodology
(CM)
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Description
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Widely used framework for vulnerability assessment first proposed in 1991. CM incorporates expert
judgment and data analysis of socioeconomic and physical characteristics to assist the user in
estimating a broad spectrum of impacts from sea-level rise, including the value of land and
wetlands lost. It presents a list of analyses that should be done, but does not explicitly instruct
the user on how to perform the analyses. Information from this methodology is generally used as a
basis for further physical and economic modelling.
The user follows seven steps:
- delineate the case study area;
- inventory study area characteristics;
- identify the relevant socioeconomic development factors;
- assess the physical changes;
- formulate response strategies;
- assess the Vulnerability Profile;
- identify future needs.
Adaptation focuses around three generic options: retreat, accommodate or protect.
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Appropriate Use
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This approach is most useful as an initial, baseline analysis for country level studies where little
is known about coastal vulnerability.
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Scale
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CM can be used in sub-national, national, regional and global analysis.
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Key Output
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Vulnerability profile and the list of future policy needs to adapt both physically and economically.
A range of impacts of sea-level rise, including land loss and associated value and uses, wetland
loss, etc.
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Key Input
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Physical and socioeconomic characteristics of the study area.
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Ease of Use
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Requires considerable knowledge on a range of techniques for estimating biophysical and socioeconomic
impacts of sea level rise and adaptation. It has been criticised and redesigned by several groups of
researchers.
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Training Required
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Significant training required to complete the seven steps (weeks or months); often performed by
external consultants rather than in-country experts.
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Training Available
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No formal training currently offered.
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Computer Requirements
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Methodology does not explicitly state how to perform analyses; analytical method chosen by the user
will determine the computer needs.
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Documentation
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Original documentation from 1991 is unavailable. Update provided in IPCC CZMS (1992).
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International studies
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IPCC CZMS (1992), Nicholls (1995, 1998a, 1998b), Bijlsma et al. (1996), Nicholls and Mimura (1998),
Klein and Nicholls. (1999).
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Contacts for Framework, Documentation, Technical Assistance
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Coastal Zone Management Centre
P.O. Box 20907, NL-2500 EX, The Hague, The Netherlands; Tel: 1.70.311.4364, Fax: 31.70.311.4380.
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Cost
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No cost to obtain documentation.
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Validity
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Used in many coastal countries. Examples of studies: Harvey et al.(1999a), Harvey et al (1999b),
Kay et al. (1996), Kay et al. (1992), McLean and Mimura (1993), Morvell (1993a, 1993b), Waterman
(1996), Woodroffe and McLean (1993).
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