Events and climate change: an Australian perspective

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider some of the issues of vulnerability and risk, mitigation, adaptation and the adaptive capacity of events. Given the significance of events to community, society and the economy, it seems imperative that the risks of any potential negative effects of climate change on this sector are understood, and that the capacity of events to adapt to and mitigate climate change is identified.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory conceptual paper considers some of the issues of vulnerability and risk, mitigation, adaptation and the adaptive capacity of events, and highlights the fact that different types of events are likely to be affected unequally by climate change.

Findings

The paper finds that different types of events are likely to be impacted in different ways by climate change. It also concludes that smaller, community events and larger hallmark events are likely to be most seriously affected by climate change, as they are types of events which rely on specific locations and venues.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations are those of a conceptual paper – although the empirical research on climate change and tourism may reflect the situation for the events industry, this has not yet been tested. Future research should test the propositions in this paper.

Practical implications

The paper suggests strongly that the events industry should incorporate strategies for adapting to climate change impacts into its policy and planning. Some of the likely climate change impacts are identified in the paper, along with potential adaptation solutions.

Originality/value

This topic has not yet been addressed in the academic literature and therefore the paper represents an important step in the understanding of climate change. The paper has academic value as a platform to underpin future research and practical value for event organisers planning for an uncertain future.

Citation

Mair, J. (2011), "Events and climate change: an Australian perspective", International Journal of Event and Festival Management, Vol. 2 No. 3, pp. 245-253. https://doi.org/10.1108/17582951111170308