Table 3 Research method for the built environment policy portfolio in each local government area
Topic | Guiding research question | Scope of analysis | Instrument critical review |
|---|---|---|---|
Climate change mitigation | Are there climate change mitigation actions evident in the policy instrument? | Individual policy instrument | • Does the policy instrument address any mitigation actions? - This was assessed by looking for mentions of ‘mitigation’, as well as energy related key words: efficiency, renewable, electrification; and urban form/design key words including, compact city, density, mixed use, walking, cycling, public transport/transit, transit-oriented development, urban infill (Yes or No). These keywords informed by ref. 12. - These words must occur as an action in the policy e.g., not be mentioned as background information only. |
Climate change adaptation | Does the policy instrument respond to/act on climate change impacts? | Individual policy instrument | • Does the policy instrument mention adaptation actions? - Key words to be identified as an action for the policy instrument to achieve: adaptation, relocation, retreat, avoid development engineering infrastructure (grey, hard), hazard reduction/ separation, risk reduction, emergency response (Yes/No). These key words were informed by ref. 13. - These words must occur as an action in the policy e.g., not be mentioned as background information only. |
Co-beneficial actions | Does the policy instrument respond to/act on climate change with actions that benefit both adaptation and mitigation goals? | Individual policy instrument | • Does the policy instrument mention co-beneficial actions: - Key words to be identified as an action for the policy instrument to achieve: water sensitive urban design, integrated water management, blue infrastructure, permeability, nature based solutions, green (infrastructure, etc), vegetation management, street trees, urban forest, housing/building design, urban design strategies (informed by refs. 12,13,61). - These words must occur as an action in the policy e.g. not be mentioned as background information only. |
Integration | Does each individual policy instrument integrate adaptation and mitigation actions? | Individual policy instrument | Does the policy instrument include both an adaptation and mitigation action? This could be achieved by: - Mitigation action + adaptation or co-beneficial action - Adaptation + mitigation action or co-beneficial action - A co-beneficial action only |
Mainstream | How well are climate change actions mainstreamed across all instruments in the policy portfolio of the local government? | The policy portfolio | Consider whether climate change action is mainstreamed into each local government’s portfolio as a whole (large range of adaptation and mitigation actions across the whole policy portfolio – including via a mix of regulations/laws and supporting policy instruments). |
