Living with a changing coastline:

1. Living with a changing coastline: Exploring new forms of governance for sustainable coastal futures Tim O’Riordan & Jessica Milligan Session A: Climate Change and Coastal Management Techniques ”European Conference on Coastal Zone Research: an ELOISE Approach”, Portoroz, Slovenia, November 14 – 18, 2004

2. Tyndall Centre Coastal Theme Project aims Study plan Living with a changing coastline Coastal governance Issues raised from 3 parts of project: - English Nature & Coastal Conservation - Shoreline Management Plans - Government “Making Space for water” consultation Introduction

3. Objective Understanding and anticipating key coastal zone processes as the scientific basis for flexible adaptation to, and efficient mitigation of, altering environmental conditions Theme 4: Sustaining the coastal zone

4. Tsimplis How vulnerable is the UK coastline? Rees Sediment dynamics & shoreline response Watkinson Towards a coastal simulator Theme 4 flagship project: Regional Coastal Simulator Nicholls Regional analysis of coastal flood risk Sutherland Tourism & biodiversity Jones Visualising coastal futures Brown Inclusive & integrated Coastal analysis Jickells Integrated Estuarine Model O’Riordan Exploring new forms of governance Nicholls Changing coastal geomorphology Project integration

5. Collaborative Partnership

6. To examine the scope for altering existing arrangements of coastal management, and for devising possible new patterns of management in the UK To establish evaluation criteria that are interdisciplinary, transparent and co-designed by all stakeholders To provide a credible basis for future policy decisions, involving all relevant stakeholders Aims of this Project

7. The Study • One year research project - commenced February 2004 • Steering Group of Tyndall Researchers, and representatives of funding bodies: - Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) - English Nature - Environment Agency - North Norfolk District Council • Three Policy Workshops - How to manage the coastline sustainably?

8. Focusing on North Norfolk, England 3 Policy Workshops (July, Oct, January) Strategic Interviews Public Meetings (May & September) Interaction with other Tyndall projects Use of “action research” to investigate stakeholders’ understandings and expectations for coastal management of dynamic coasts and feed this back to policy bodies (Via workshops and Working Papers) Methodology Policy relevant research

9. Coasts are dynamic (coastal processes) Effects of climate change - sea level rise - increased storminess Sediment, conservation and people – priorities But, although coast is mobile there is an expectation of coastal stability and protection! A Changing Coastline

10. “Permissive Powers” - of government for coastal protection – no duty to protect - But shift from “coastal defence” to “coastal management” Institutional arrangements -complex for coastal management in England & Wales - policies and decisions have been sectoral Need for integration – as Foresight Flood Project states the Status Quo is not an option Commitment to ICZM - a process to “join –up” the different policies that have an effect on the coast Stakeholder Participation - bringing together stakeholders to inform, support and implement policies A Changing Attitude

11. Issues of coastal governance • Land-Sea issue (integration) • Long-term and long-scale • Uncertainty (Global Engagement needed) • Ecological Democracy - Sustainability

12. Coastal Governance and Participation Why do we involve stakeholders: - legal (Aarhus Convention) - democratic - “sea-level” advice (knowledge) - creative partnerships (shared responsibility)

13. Maritime Strategy - English Nature - shift to “Making space for wildlife and people” Shoreline Management Plan Process - North Norfolk district Council - 2nd Generation Plan (1 of 3 pilot plans) “Making space for water” - Defra - a new Government strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England Dynamic time for coastal management in the UK

14. Nature Conservation Issues(English Nature Workshop 1 – July) • Interviews revealed key themes: • Stakeholder dialogue/communication • Trust • Coastal partnerships • Access to information • Stability & mobility • Language and meaning • Future of the coast

15. Future for Coasts? - naturally functioning coastline - local interests being ignored - changing nature of coasts (fresh water to more saline) - no future without compensation!

16. Shoreline Management Plans(NNDC Workshop 2 – October) • North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) • Second generation SMP 3b • Non-statutory document • Aim of SMP: “provides a large-scale assessment of the risks associated with coastal processes and presents a long term policy framework to reduce these risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environment in a sustainable manner”

17. Interviews revealed key themes about Extended Steering Group stakeholder engagement model: Clarity of process Continuity Lack of local knowledge Involvement Legitimacy Compensation Key themes for SMP 3bModel of Participation

18. Views of Extended Steering Group on SMP process

19. Making Space for Water • Preparing for workshop in January 2005 • Issues: • Governance Arrangements • Public Participation • SMPs in wider context • Adaptation to coastal change

20. Message of changing coast Improved dialogue needed Trust Transparency Timing Social Capital Key Findings (so far!)