Supporting decision making through adaptive tools in a changing climate: Practice guidance on signals and triggers

The mission of the Deep South Challenge is to “enable New Zealanders to adapt, manage risk and thrive in a changing climate”. To achieve this, new and practical tools are needed to enable decision makers to respond appropriately to climate change impacts that will limit damage and costs to communities. With uncertainty about the timing and severity of climate change impacts, local government and infrastructure providers in particular need new ‘fit for purpose’ decision-making tools that take into account changing risk profiles to enable timely adaptation actions; for example, to plan ahead for climate change and rising sea levels and the consequences on flood frequency, rainfall intensity, as well as a changed vulnerability due to economic and population growth and changes in society’s perspectives and values over time.