Climate change mitigation has traditionally focused on the reduction of greenhouse gases. However, it is now accepted that a change in climate is inevitable and that mitigation will be insufficient. Now, the focus has shifted to include climate change adaptation: measures required to adjust to the changing climate to avoid significant risks. These risks may include increased or decreased rainfall and increased temperatures with resulting increased prevalence in disasters such as floods, drought, heat waves and fires, competition for resources, changes in disease vectors, greater demands on infrastructure, and associated social impacts.
The risks and associated impacts of climate change are far reaching and cross sector. The GISTM has included requirements for addressing climate change risks as they apply to tailings. These include several topics and are detailed in Table 1. The requirements include three main responses: identifying the risks, modelling the
changes, and monitoring and adaptation. The first two relate to planning and operation; monitoring and adaptation requirements will include operation, but extend for the life of the tailings facility through to closure and post-closure.
The sixth assessment report released by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change provides global models that can inform the identification
of risks. The GISTM, however, requires site-specific modelling to inform TSF design. It is further recommended that site-specific models be used to inform the water balance, assessment of impacts and enhancement of resilience.
The GISTM does not provide a standard for site-specific modelling, but there are some best practice guidelines that can inform the approach. Because these models have limitations, monitoring and ongoing adaptation are essential to ensure that risks are addressed. It is critical that monitored information is analysed to ensure trends are highlighted to inform required adaptation. The table illustrates how this will be implemented through the requirements of the GISTM.
