The Interplay of Climate Change Adaptation Policies and Inequality in the Western Cape in South Africa. A grounded theory analysis of institutional and socio-political processes using data gathered in interviews.
(2023) EKHS35 20231Department of Economic History
- Abstract
- With climate change unfolding, there is a need for adaptation policies that support the most vulnerable. Knowledge of the interconnection between adaptation policies and inequality is however limited, especially regarding power relations and institutional factors. Using data gathered in interviews with public officials and NGO representatives, this thesis explored the interaction of climate change adaptation policies with economic inequality in South Africa’s Western Cape region. The findings of the grounded theory analysis indicate that inequality in the Western Cape mediates adaptive capacities of communities to climate impacts considerably. While the regional government aims to target the most vulnerable in their adaptation policies,... (More)
- With climate change unfolding, there is a need for adaptation policies that support the most vulnerable. Knowledge of the interconnection between adaptation policies and inequality is however limited, especially regarding power relations and institutional factors. Using data gathered in interviews with public officials and NGO representatives, this thesis explored the interaction of climate change adaptation policies with economic inequality in South Africa’s Western Cape region. The findings of the grounded theory analysis indicate that inequality in the Western Cape mediates adaptive capacities of communities to climate impacts considerably. While the regional government aims to target the most vulnerable in their adaptation policies, the impacts on the ground often favour richer communities. The thesis identified a number of institutional and socio-political factors that might lead to this reverse outcome, including a lack of funding in local governance, political contestation, and the approach to informal settlements. These factors have f. ex. an effect on voice and representativity in policy processes, pointing to deeper changes in institutional structures that might be needed for inclusive and just adaptation policies. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9140528
- author
- Flatz, Hannes LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- EKHS35 20231
- year
- 2023
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- climate change adaptation, South Africa, Western Cape, inequality, climate justice, institutional analysis
- language
- English
- id
- 9140528
- date added to LUP
- 2024-11-05 12:27:23
- date last changed
- 2024-11-05 12:27:23
@misc{9140528,
abstract = {{With climate change unfolding, there is a need for adaptation policies that support the most vulnerable. Knowledge of the interconnection between adaptation policies and inequality is however limited, especially regarding power relations and institutional factors. Using data gathered in interviews with public officials and NGO representatives, this thesis explored the interaction of climate change adaptation policies with economic inequality in South Africa’s Western Cape region. The findings of the grounded theory analysis indicate that inequality in the Western Cape mediates adaptive capacities of communities to climate impacts considerably. While the regional government aims to target the most vulnerable in their adaptation policies, the impacts on the ground often favour richer communities. The thesis identified a number of institutional and socio-political factors that might lead to this reverse outcome, including a lack of funding in local governance, political contestation, and the approach to informal settlements. These factors have f. ex. an effect on voice and representativity in policy processes, pointing to deeper changes in institutional structures that might be needed for inclusive and just adaptation policies.}},
author = {{Flatz, Hannes}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{The Interplay of Climate Change Adaptation Policies and Inequality in the Western Cape in South Africa. A grounded theory analysis of institutional and socio-political processes using data gathered in interviews.}},
year = {{2023}},
}