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Improving the effectiveness of climate change adaptation measures

Puig, Daniel ; Adger, Neil W. ; Barnett, Jon ; Vanhala, Lisa and Boyd, Emily LU (2025) In Climatic Change 178(1).
Abstract

To a large degree, economic metrics and mechanisms underpin the design of adaptation policies. Such a focus has undesired consequences on the effectiveness of adaptation measures as well as on our ability to prevent incommensurable losses. The article puts forward four strategic changes in adaptation policy that shift the focus away from markets and toward community-level visions of what a liveable future entails. These changes involve accommodating diverse ethical positions, through decision-making processes that are rich in information, include diverse perspectives, and are transparent with respect to the value trade-offs they entail; reflecting social norms in adaptation, through community-led initiatives whereby local priorities and... (More)

To a large degree, economic metrics and mechanisms underpin the design of adaptation policies. Such a focus has undesired consequences on the effectiveness of adaptation measures as well as on our ability to prevent incommensurable losses. The article puts forward four strategic changes in adaptation policy that shift the focus away from markets and toward community-level visions of what a liveable future entails. These changes involve accommodating diverse ethical positions, through decision-making processes that are rich in information, include diverse perspectives, and are transparent with respect to the value trade-offs they entail; reflecting social norms in adaptation, through community-led initiatives whereby local priorities and cultural expressions are given centre-stage in the design of adaptation responses; limiting path dependence, through champions within key institutions that are prepared to affect change in times of disruptive climate disasters; and enfranchising marginalised groups, notably by incorporating multiple knowledges and worldviews in adaptation policy, promoting deliberation and negotiation, and subverting exclusionary practices.

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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Civil society, Devolved decision-making, Effectiveness, Multilateral funds, Planners
in
Climatic Change
volume
178
issue
1
article number
7
publisher
Springer Science and Business Media B.V.
external identifiers
  • scopus:85217360532
ISSN
0165-0009
DOI
10.1007/s10584-024-03838-8
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f5d2a277-2a29-44f7-80d4-611c4bbc8517
date added to LUP
2025-07-03 12:50:36
date last changed
2025-07-03 12:51:33
@article{f5d2a277-2a29-44f7-80d4-611c4bbc8517,
  abstract     = {{<p>To a large degree, economic metrics and mechanisms underpin the design of adaptation policies. Such a focus has undesired consequences on the effectiveness of adaptation measures as well as on our ability to prevent incommensurable losses. The article puts forward four strategic changes in adaptation policy that shift the focus away from markets and toward community-level visions of what a liveable future entails. These changes involve accommodating diverse ethical positions, through decision-making processes that are rich in information, include diverse perspectives, and are transparent with respect to the value trade-offs they entail; reflecting social norms in adaptation, through community-led initiatives whereby local priorities and cultural expressions are given centre-stage in the design of adaptation responses; limiting path dependence, through champions within key institutions that are prepared to affect change in times of disruptive climate disasters; and enfranchising marginalised groups, notably by incorporating multiple knowledges and worldviews in adaptation policy, promoting deliberation and negotiation, and subverting exclusionary practices.</p>}},
  author       = {{Puig, Daniel and Adger, Neil W. and Barnett, Jon and Vanhala, Lisa and Boyd, Emily}},
  issn         = {{0165-0009}},
  keywords     = {{Civil society; Devolved decision-making; Effectiveness; Multilateral funds; Planners}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Springer Science and Business Media B.V.}},
  series       = {{Climatic Change}},
  title        = {{Improving the effectiveness of climate change adaptation measures}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-024-03838-8}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s10584-024-03838-8}},
  volume       = {{178}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}