(Multi-stakeholder panel) Knowledge, data and science to inform sea-level rise risk assessments and decision making
Despite significant advancements in climate science, most notably via the IPCC's 6th Assessment Report (2021), there are still knowledge gaps and data limitations that hinder our ability to accurately predict and assess the impacts of sea-level rise. Moreover, challenges exist in effectively communicating complex scientific information to policymakers and the general public in a way that supports informed decision-making. No single entity or organization holds all the data and information that is needed for comprehensive assessments of sea-level rise, and the lack of coordination to address what is a global challenge is increasingly undermining planning and response efforts. Traditional and local knowledge also have a huge role to play when it comes to in-situ adaptation strategies as a response to sea-level rise. These include floating farms, raising the floor above high tide level, constructing stilt houses and traditional structural designs amongst others. This thematic discussion will also cover how this knowledge can be recognized, valued, supported, and incorporated into adaptation approaches.