Risk Assessment and Decision Support System for Environmental Impacts related to Climate Change
- Academic year
- 2019/2020 Syllabus of previous years
- Official course title
- Risk Assessment and Decision Support System for Environmental Impacts related to Climate Change
- Course code
- PHD026 (AF:324784 AR:174912)
- Modality
- ECTS credits
- 6
- Degree level
- Master di Secondo Livello (DM270)
- Educational sector code
- CHIM/12
- Period
- 2nd Semester
- Course year
- 1
- Where
- VENEZIA
Contribution of the course to the overall degree programme goals
Following an introduction to the key concepts and the state of the art in environmental impact, risk and vulnerability assessment methodologies, the course will provide an overview of the main assessment and management tools applied to relevant case studies.
Then, we will go on to the analysis of Decision Support Systems (DSSs) for the assessment and management of environmental impacts of climate change. An introduction to the concept of DSS and their applications will provide a preliminary insight into the theme. Review of some existing Decision Support System to be compared and evaluated will add technical and analytical aspects. Application to a case study will be instrumental in order to explore flexibility of DSSs and the use of existing tools.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowing how to use linguistic terminology in all the application and communication processes of the subjects acquired.
Knowing how to formulate and argue simple hypotheses, also developing a critical approach to the evaluation of alternative hypotheses.
Knowing how to interact with peers and the tutor, in a critical and respectful way.
Being able to consult critically the reference texts and the bibliography contained in them.
Know how to use dedicated tools and software.
Pre-requirements
Contents
Parry M, Carter T, 1998. Climate Impact and Adaptation assessment: the IPCC Method. Earthscan, 192 pp.
Willows, R.I., and R.K. Connell (eds.) 2003. Climate adaptation: Risk, uncertainty and decision-making. UKCIP Technical Report. UKCIP. Oxford, UK.
no. 2 Approaches and methodologies for environmental risk assessment and management related to climate change.
UNFCCC, 2004. Compendium on methods and tools to evaluate impacts of, and vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. 151pp.
Australian Government, 2005. Climate change risk and vulnerability. Promoting an efficient adaptation response in Australia. Report to the Australian Greenhouse Office, Department of the Environment and Heritage.
Landis WG, Wiegers JK, 2007. Ten years of the relative risk model and regional scale ecological risk assessment Human Ecological Risk Assessment, 13 (1): 25-38 .
Romieu E.,Welle T., Schneiderbauer S., Pelling M., Vinchon C., 2010. Vulnerability assessment within climate change and natural hazard contexts: revealing gaps and synergies through coastal applications. Sustainability Science:159–170.
no. 3 Decision Support Systems for evaluation and management of environmental impacts of climate change.
Shim, J P, Warkentin, M., Courtney, J F, Power D J, Shards, R, Carlsson C. 2002. Past, present and future of decision support technology, Decision Support Systems: 33, 111-126.
Some relevant websites: DIVA DSS, http://www.dinas-coast.net/ ; WADBOS DSS, http://www.riks.nl/Projects/WadBOS ; LADSS DSS, http://www.macaulay.ac.uk/LADSS/ ; CLIME DSS, http://geoinformatics.tkk.fi/twiki/bin/view/Main/CLIMEDSS ; http://www.climsystems.com/simclim/ .
no. 4 Assessment and management tools applied to case studies.
Different case studies will be presented to illustrate specific assessment tools and management options for climate change impacts.
Lecture based on material provided by the instructor.
no. 5 Overview of international on-going research projects.
Lecture based on material provided by the instructor.
Some relevant websites: CLIM-RUN project, www.climrun.eu; CIRCE project, www.circeproject.eu; KULTURISK project, www.kulturisk.eu; CIRCLE-MED projects, www.circle-med.net
no. 6 Case study application of a DSS (practical application).
The DSS will be chosen during the course.
Students will be asked to summarise and evaluate the impacts of climate change and possible measures for adaptation in a particular sector and/or region. The exercise will require a internet review to gather and critically evaluate available scientific knowledge for the assessment of climate change impacts.
Material for the practical application delivered by the lecturer, use of PCs.
no. 7 Case study application of a DSS (practical application)
The DSS will be chosen during the course.
Students will be asked to summarise and evaluate the impacts of climate change and possible measures for adaptation in a particular sector and/or region. The exercise will require a internet review to gather and critically evaluate available scientific knowledge for the assessment of climate change impacts.
Material for the practical application delivered by the lecturer, use of PCs.
no. 8 Discussion of case study application and final remarks.
Referral texts
Assessment methods
Evaluation of ppt presentations concerning issues discussed during the lectures and provided by students during the course will also be considered (40 % of final score)
Teaching methods
Working groups and presentations concerning issues discussed during the lectures, provided by students.
Teaching language
Further information
Type of exam
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals
This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Climate change and energy" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development