Coastal Hazard Wheel

The Coastal Hazard Wheel (CHW) is a universal coastal adaptation support system that can be used for three main purposes: (i) multi-hazard-assessments at local, regional and national level; (ii) identification of hazard management options for a specific coastline; (iii) as a standardized coastal language to communicate coastal information. The CHW is developed as a universal coastal classification system that can be used in areas with limited data availability and can therefore be used in both developed and developing countries. The CHW constitutes a key for classifying a particular coastal location, determining its hazard profile, identifying relevant management options and communicating coastal information. It is based on the bio-geophysical parameters determining the character of a coastal environment. The parameters included are geological layout, wave exposure, tidal range, flora/fauna, sediment balance and storm climate, and the system distinguishes between 131 generic coastal environments. The CHW covers the hazards of ecosystem disruption, gradual inundation, salt water intrusion, erosion and flooding, and contains a total of 655 individual hazard evaluations and a complete hazard profile for each generic coastal environment. The system incorporates climate change effects in the hazard profiles and is therefore relevant for climate change adaptation.

A UNEP publication package on the CHW is available on-line, consisting of four components: the Executive summary, the Quick start guide, the Main manual and the Catalogue of hazard management options. The Quick start guide provides a brief introduction to the use of the CHW for coastal decision-making and information exchange. The Main manual provides more detailed technical instructions, while the Catalogue of hazard management options provides descriptions of commonly used hazard management options. Other tools are available on-line as the Coastal Hazard Wheel App, ArcGIS templates for manual assessment, CHW graphics or the scientific background material.