Regional / Local Policies. Cathal O Mahony & Jeremy Gault Sustain Partner

Transcription

1 Regional / Local Policies Cathal O Mahony & Jeremy Gault Sustain Partner

2 Content Introduction to CMRC Cork Harbour Working with Local Authorities Expert Couplet Nodes (ECN) Research Work Undertaken - and Outcomes Spreading the Word Dissemination and Outreach Summary - Observations and Comments

3 Coastal & Marine Research Centre (CMRC)

4 Coastal & Marine Research Centre (CMRC) Unique multi-disciplinary research centre: Governance Marine Ecology Applied Remote Sensing & Geographical Information Systems Geomatics Seabed Mapping & Coastal Processes Staff with diverse backgrounds and interests: Computer Science, Engineering, Physical & Social Geography Geomorphology, Hydrography, Environmental Management, Social Science, Fisheries Management, GIS & Remote Sensing, Marine Biology, Numerical Modelling, Zoology Current staff nos. ~40 (20 Post-doc, 10 RA, 8 Students, 2 Admin)

5 Interaction with Local Authorities Bantry Bay Charter ICZM project funded by LIFE formed part of the EU ICZM Demonstration Programme partnered Cork County Council; CoCoNet (Coastal Communities Network) project funded by INTERREG IIIA - aimed to create closer links between coastal communities and local authorities (Wexford, Wicklow, Waterford, Meath, Dublin, etc.) to facilitate ICZM; Dune Protection Plan - study commissioned by Fingal County Council to assess the current condition and usage of sand dune systems at specific sites on the Fingal coast, and subsequently prepare dune management plans to address the issues prevalent at each site; Review of Coastal Protection - commissioned by the Heritage Office of Waterford County Council to review coastal protection at Tramore Strand. Objective of this study was to make recommendations to assist with contemporary coastal management issues at Tramore and to provide suggestions for future research programmes required to develop an overall management strategy for the site; Conscience - project focusing on concepts and science for coastal erosion management funded by EU 6 th Framework Programme, partner cooperation with Kerry County Council; Marine Leisure Strategy research commissioned by Cork County Council to contribute to coherent and sustainable development of marine leisure, making the best use of existing and planned infrastructure and resources; Living Coast / Living Sea Project funded under INTERREG IIIA programme assisted Fingal County Council in gauging public appreciation of areas of ecological importance; 2007.

6 Interaction with Local Authorities COREPOINT (Coastal Research and Policy Integration) funded by INTERREG IIIB sought to build capacity for Integrated Coastal Zone Management among researchers and local spatial planners; achieved through a partnership approach in a number of case study areas across north west Europe, called 'Expert Couplet Nodes partnered Cork County Council; IMCORE (Innovative Management for Europe s Changing Coastal Resource) project funded by INTERREG IVB aims to promote a transnational, innovative and sustainable approach to reducing the ecological, social and economic impacts of climate change on the coastal resources of North West Europe incorporates the innovative expert couplet approach, (i.e. collaboration between coastal practitioners and scientists using the principles of sustainability science) - partnered Cork County Council; CoastAdapt funded under Northern Periphery Programme aims to develop innovative adaptation activities and services, and progress implementation of these activities / services by local authorities partnered with Kerry County Council;

7 Interaction with Local Authorities COREPOINT (Coastal Research and Policy Integration) funded by INTERREG IIIB sought to build capacity for Integrated Coastal Zone Management among researchers and local spatial planners; achieved through a partnership approach in a number of case study areas across north west Europe, called 'Expert Couplet Nodes partnered Cork County Council; IMCORE (Innovative Management for Europe s Changing Coastal Resource) project funded by INTERREG IVB aims to promote a transnational, innovative and sustainable approach to reducing the ecological, social and economic impacts of climate change on the coastal resources of North West Europe incorporates the innovative expert couplet approach, (i.e. collaboration between coastal practitioners and scientists using the principles of sustainability science) - partnered Cork County Council; CoastAdapt funded under Northern Periphery Programme aims to develop innovative adaptation activities and services, and progress implementation of these activities / services by local authorities partnered with Kerry County Council;

8 Project Aim Facts & Figures To promote a transnational, innovative and sustainable approach to reducing the Ecological, Social and Economic impacts of climate change Project on Composition the coastal resources of North West Europe. 17 Partners / 5 member states 8 Research Centres 6 local authorities (+ 4 sub-partners) 2 umbrella associations 1 SME Project Duration 42 months: May 08 ~ November 2011 Total Funding 5,993,550 ERDF 2,996,775 (50%)

9 Expert Couplet Node Programme of Work Under COREPOINT, ECN focused on issues related to coastal management coastal leisure and recreation, (re)-use of brownfield sites, integrated strategy for Harbour. Under IMCORE the focus shifted to issues related to climate change coastal defence, adaptation.

10 Expert Couplet Node Outputs and Outcomes Supported ICZM training and Expert Surgery (Cork Harbour February 05). Produced documents on Recreational Capacity and Brownfield Site Evolution (IFI). Established and facilitated the Cork Harbour Forum (multi-stakeholder group) and a strategic advisory group comprising organisations with statutory and regulatory remits. Organised series of workshops to identify issues and solutions issues. Produced Integrated Management Strategy document for Cork Harbour (Note: Strategy is non-statutory).

11 Expert Couplet Node Outputs and Outcomes Implementation of Integrated Strategy formation of Working Groups for Heritage, Planning, Open Day (outreach / awareness raising), and Harbour Trails / Routes. ECN will underpin the delivery of a local adaptive management strategy via capacity building e.g., climate science, scenarios, visualisation, stakeholder and regulatory engagement. New departure for Local Authorities. ECN has initiated process for identifying the local drivers/issues for climate change stakeholder workshop. Continue efforts to gather data specific to Cork Harbour, and to progress a more integrated approach.

12 Communication Dissemination - Outreach Flow of information and communication are vital to successful working and important: Within the ECN regular meetings between members of couplet team keep work programme on track, clear delegation of tasks. To stakeholder audiences within study site ensuring all parties are kept aware of progress and opportunities for contribution / interaction list for Harbour Forum, quarterly news bulletin, use local and regional media, periodic reporting, updates via website. Project Partnership and other ECNs in North West Europe transnational component, what can be learned from other sites, what is emerging from other ECNs that is relevant? Sites are unique, but are our issues / challenges? INTERREG Secretariat showcasing project achievements, linking with other relevant projects funded through INTERREG value for money!

13 Communication Dissemination - Outreach The key messages that we are aiming to get across: European Decision Makers and Coordination Bodies: There are benefits to be gained from adopting innovative approaches to the management of climate change impacts in the coastal zone which should be encouraged in future European policy and practice. NWE Communications Manager and Secretariat: The project is positively impacting on stakeholders thus demonstrating the added value to ERDF investments and helps to achieve territorial cohesion in NWE. National Level Decision Makers: The local Expert Couplet approach demonstrated in Cork Harbour, can be applied in other parts of the country to deliver capacity for adapting to the challenges of climate change in the coast; and specific actions need to be put in place to protect the socio-economic vulnerability of coastal resources. Sub National and Local Stakeholders: We need to take action to address the future implications of climate change on our local coastal resources by implementing strategies for adaptive management. Project Partnership: It is only by working together that we can realise the full potential of the project and guarantee the quality and ensure the relevance of our outputs.

14 Some Observations Expectations: internal and external; important to have a clear and common understanding of what the ECN is aiming to achieve and the timescales involved; the latter is often an external pressure people want to know what is being done change and progress might not be explicitly evident, challenge to motivation and buy-in - balancing representation from various stakeholders / sectors. Assumptions: public uncertainty over roles and responsibilities of Local Authorities pressure to act ICZM is an instant answer and not viewed as a process. Layers of Local Authority: now more aware of extensive nature of Local Authority organisational structure; while focus is on working with planner community, there is a need to enlist support and raise awareness across other sections (e.g. community development; engineering) and levels (senior management, Directors of Services). Members of ECN (certainly in the case of Cork) operate in different work environments. Staff turn-over: perhaps an issue in many regions / countries certainly in Ireland; capacity building is undermined, influences progress, can lead to loss of momentum due to change-over of staff and/or loss of time / resources. Policy vacuum: Ireland remains without a national integrated coastal management policy / strategy challenge to connect local activity to national level. Not such an issue in relation to climate change clearer roles and responsibilities, could argue that stronger political will and resourcing is in place compared to levels for ICZM. Voluntary Approach: potential to undermine process can prove difficult to embed in statutory / regulatory regime. Project-based: approaches to ICZM in particular, are predominantly time bound and academic led, shortterm solution for long-term planning and management.

15 Final Comments Can be difficult to make headway in isolation when tacking issues surrounding climate change and coastal management approaches often require input from various stakeholders. ECN is bottom up with institutional support. Expert couplet model does work of mutual benefit to all parties mature partnerships in position to advise potential new ECNs. Activity in Cork Harbour represents best example of contemporary ICZM in Ireland hoping to now replicate this for adaptation to climate change ECN is the tool driving progress. Funding exists INTERREG programme for regional cooperation and development planning for integrated coastal management and climate change address objectives contained in the Gothenburg Agenda, and current EU Maritime Policy.

16 Cathal O'Mahony, Research Scientist, Coastal & Marine Resources Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Haulbowline Naval Base, Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland. Tel: Fax: Website: Thank You