From science to policy: The making of a watershed-scale climate change adaptation strategy

Abstract

• Empirical knowledge of how climate change adaptation planning processes are convened and policies developed remain scarce. • The multi-method and participatory framework adopted in this study proved to be efficient and effective in identifying multi-sector climate change vulnerabilities and adaptation options. • Adaptation planning challenges included short project timelines, limited financial resources, and a lack of expertise to address some sector vulnerabilities. • An enabling policy directive, leadership, local support, adequate planning time, and financial resources are required to facilitate science-based policy development. Despite increased commitment to manage for climate change by various levels of government around the world, empirical knowledge of how adaptation processes are convened and policies developed remains scarce. In this paper, we describe the approach, methods, and results of a multi-partner pilot project that was used to assess vulnerabilities of natural and built systems to climate change and develop adaptation options for inclusion in a climate change adaptation strategy for the Lake Simcoe Watershed in Ontario, Canada. The multi-method approach, which included workshops, face-to-face meetings, and an iterative Policy Delphi survey, proved to be efficient and effective in helping identify and understand multi-sector climate change vulnerabilities in the watershed, and in bringing climate change experts and decision-makers together to work on a proactive, science-based policy outcome. Challenges experienced during the adaptation planning process included short project timelines, limited financial resources, and a lack of expertise to address regional vulnerabilities in some sectors. However, the non-linear, iterative nature of the approach provided the capacity required to respond to some of these capacity issues during the pilot project. Overall, the process demonstrated the importance of engaging appropriate expertise and adopting a flexible and stakeholder-enabling adaptation framework. Perspectives for strengthening links among the scientific and policy-making communities are highlighted, and practical lessons learned are provided to help other decision-makers begin and amplify the process of integrating climate change into public policy and planning initiatives.