Abstract
The effectiveness of various adaptation options is dependent on the capacity to plan, design and implement them. Understanding the determinants of adaptive capacity is, therefore, crucial for effective responses to climate change. This paper offers an assessment of adaptive capacity across a range of sectors in South East Queensland, Australia. The paper has four parts, including (1) an overview of adaptive capacity, in particular as a learning process; (2) a description of the various methods used to determine adaptive capacity; (3) a synthesis of the determinants of adaptive capacity; and (4) the identification of mechanisms to build adaptive capacity in the region. We conclude that the major issue impacting adaptive capacity is not the availability of physical resources but the dominant social, political and institutional culture of the region.
Highlights
Climate change has become a central issue for governments, scientists and planners worldwide
How the threats and issues relating to adaptation are framed is central to the ability to respond proactively
This paper has explored the adaptive capacity dimensions that impact on the effectiveness of various adaptation strategies
Summary
Climate change has become a central issue for governments, scientists and planners worldwide. Research and policy focus on climate change adaptation has emerged relatively recently as a fundamental challenge for contemporary socio-ecological systems. Australia is responding to the challenge of climate change through a range of both mitigation and adaptation initiatives—albeit with varying levels of success (Smith et al 2011). In South East Queensland (SEQ), researchers have been working with key stakeholders to develop a set of adaptation strategies. The authors argue that it is not enough to present a set of strategies to stakeholders. There is a growing awareness that the formulation of adaptation strategies requires a deeper understanding of the human dimensions of climate change impacts (Adger 2003). To enable the formulation of successful adaptation strategies, it is important to assess the adaptive capacity of communities of place and practice (Lorenzoni et al 2000; Ford et al 2006) vis-a-vis any proposed adaptation strategy
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