Decision Support System for Implementing Sustainable Relocation Strategies for Adaptation to Climate Change: Model Base

Abstract

Climate change is a reality which we are living. Global warming has caused human displacement and will continue to cause more places to become uninhabitable due to floods, sea level rise and other such events. As it stands, planned relocation being an adaptation measure seem a response that should be explored to save the population by moving a fraction of affected communities while others adapt to the changing climate. Examining one of the components of a Decision Support System (DSS), we devise a mathematical model, using multi-objective optimisation scheme which combine Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and goal programming to estimate which fraction should relocate from affected area and those to retain. This process takes into account various cost; human preferences; and estimates priorities to compute overall objective. We illustrate the effectiveness of the model using simulated/hypothetical data to suggest that successful adaptation practice largely relies on costs while human involvement in the process is vital. Concepts of this nature are complex however it is plausible though with significant impacts on socio-economic development, this study emphasize on the strength of mathematical methods in environmental studies and also open new research directions in adaptation measures.