Chapter 10 - Multilevel governance in climate change adaptation: Conceptual clarification and future outlook

Abstract

The cascading impacts of climate change can be observed at multiple levels of governance (i.e., global, national, regional, local). Because of the multidimensional impacts, climate adaptation actions require the engagement of multiple actors in different sectors and at various levels of governance. The different roles played by these policy actors and their interactions create a multiactor network of adaptation governance. The analysis of governance in this multiactor multilevel network needs an understanding of the multilevel governance (MLG) concept. The use of this concept in examining adaptation actions would make the adaptation governance process more efficient and effective. In climate adaptation research, the MLG concept has often been used without sufficient background or contextual grounding. In this chapter, I attempt to provide an overview of the use of the MLG concept in climate adaptation research. I discuss how this concept evolved and what issues need consideration before applying the concept to an adaptation context. I also present the climate adaptation research themes in which this concept is being used. I further provide the research limitations and future outlook.