European Vulnerability and Adaptation to Impacts of Accelerated Sea-level Rise, Hamburg, Germany, 19-21 June 2000
In total, 30 delegates representing 24 European countries participated in the Hamburg workshop. Delegates included geologists, civil engineers, economists, and government officials. This provided a stimulating diversity in approaches to vulnerability and coastal management issues. All delegates agreed that the meeting had proved a valuable and enjoyable experience.
Each delegate presented a short report on national vulnerability, data status and coastal management trends. Presentations illustrated the great diversity in national situations, including:
- the natural susceptibility of coastal zones to the range of impacts associated with climate change and sea-level rise;
- ongoing coastal processes and their impacts on populations and activities;
- occupation and use of the coastal zone;
- degree of awareness in potential impacts of sea-level rise, especially at the policy maker and the coastal management level;
- current efforts to address existing and potential problems; and,
- future needs.
The discussion focused on:
- the causes and degree of vulnerability;
- the need to consider sea-level rise in a broader context of climate and other changes;
- the failure to consider sea-level rise in long-term coastal management strategies which might put current investments in the coastal zone at risk, thereby increasing national vulnerability; and,
- the need to create relevant links between academics and policy makers to use the available data meaningfully.
The meeting ended with a one-day conference on adaptation issues.
A conceptual framework on adaptation and considerations on the nature, implementation and potential benefits of adaptation were introduced. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the UNFCCC Secretariat also presented their current efforts to promote adaptation.