Rules of thumb for Step 1

• Bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including potential opponents. Early, ongoing engagement is essential.
• Be aware of what just and fair adaptation means for your context.
• Ensure balanced gender and age representation, and include all relevant sectors.
• Compile information on past climate-related events and their impacts.
• Use expert input, simple maps, visuals, and climate projections to assess whether there is a climate risk (first-pass risk assessment or screening).
• Engage decision-makers and get the authority to act.

Rules of thumb for Step 2

• Share first pass assessment findings with stakeholders, narrow the focus to consider higher-risk areas, and combine existing data with stakeholder and expert knowledge to run a second-pass risk assessment workshop.
• Before the workshop, identify past climate impacts using freely available data, visualisations, and government studies and reports.
• If major risks are identified, develop a deeper understanding of key issues and discuss potential responses with decision-makers.
• Understand the legal risks of inaction on the identified risk.

Rules of thumb for Step 3

• Explore options that reduce future risk.
• Do not put new development in high-risk areas.
• Support natural adaptation to occur where appropriate.
• Use 'soft' options when suitable: these are social and environmental or nature-based strategies.
• Consult stakeholders to help identify and refine options.
• Consider potential opportunities that could arise from an option being implemented.
• Check that options align with state policies

Rules of thumb for Step 4

• Prioritise flexible options that can be adapted or expanded over time (i.e. don't commit to something that can't be altered or built-on if necessary).
• Compile existing organisational plans and strategies into a spreadsheet and assess their relevance for managing climate risks.
• Identify performance indicators in consultation with stakeholders: these should include potential community and environmental impacts.
• Where action does not need to occur immediately, define thresholds and triggers for future action.
• Assign responsibility for each action to people or groups
• Develop a simple plan incorporating triggers and responsibilities.
• Include scheduled review points for updating the plan.

Rules of thumb for Step 5

• Identify potential barriers and include measures to address them.
• Implement actions that reduce risk, avoiding new exposure in high-risk areas.
• If deciding not take action, clearly document the decision-making process.
• Use soft options (social and environmental) where appropriate: and if suitable, enable natural adaptation to occur. Understand the risk of this action committing to this.
• Always consult stakeholders before taking action.
• Where appropriate, collaborate with other organisations across or within sectors to implement adaptation options.

Rules of thumb for Step 6

• If using a threshold-based plan, establish a monitoring system and evaluate outcomes over time.
• Select simple indicators clearly linked to decision outcomes.
• Monitoring thresholds over time can improve efficiency and save resources.