Climate Change Adaptation Actions Research Articles

Climate leadership competencies in public sector organisations in the Pirkanmaa region of Finland

Regions play an important role in concretising climate change mitigation and adaptation action. In this study, we asked those who work in designing and implementing climate strategies in regional public sector organisations in the Pirkanmaa region of Finland, for their views on what is needed for climate leadership in a regional organisation. We characterise the attributes of a climate leader in the context of regional public sector organisations in terms of the resources, processes, challenges and motivations in their work on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and describe the competencies needed for regional climate leadership. This research aims to support education design better to respond to the needs of regional climate actors.

Commodity association’s roles and determinants of farmers’ participation in their climate change adaptation activities in Sierra Leone

ABSTRACT This paper examined the commodity association’s roles and determinants of farmers’ participation in climate change adaptation in Sierra Leone. The three most prominent commodity associations were purposively selected due to membership size and the diversity of services rendered to members, which was followed by random selection of elected leaders to give a sample size of 140. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data and subjected to percentages and Probit regression analysis. The results show that the majority of the respondents across the crop, fishery and livestock commodity associations are middle-aged, male, with no formal education, married, high awareness of climate change, high incidence of climate change activities and low socioeconomic status. The use of community radios to present programs on climate adaptation techniques to members across different commodity associations is the most prominent activity (55.67%). Other major prominent climate adaptation activities of commodity associations are community mobilisation (53%), community seed multiplication (52.33%), diversification of livelihoods (50.67%) and workshops (50%). The determinants of participation in community associations’ climate adaptation activities are age, gender, socioeconomic status, education, socioeconomic status, climate change incidence, farming system factors and climate change awareness. The commodity associations are thus enhancing climate adaptation through services and activities to their members.

Cost and Benefit Analysis of Different Buildings Through Reuse of Treated Greywater

The fact that the impacts of climate change cannot be prevented in the short term has increased the importance of climate change adaptation activities, and many national and international studies have been initiated in this regard. Greywater reuse (GWR) activities have become important methods recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for adaptation to climate change. This study selects GWR from 3 different real typologies, a hotel, a residential building, and an industrial plant planned in Izmir Province of Türkiye, to design greywater systems followed by cost-benefit analyses. The applicability of GWR systems in these typologies has been analyzed, and comparisons have been made. GWR systems at the project design stage eliminate the need for installation modifications. Therefore, it is concluded that new buildings should be designed to integrate these alternative water resource systems. Recovered water through the installation of GWR systems is recommended to be used as flushing water, and the excess for garden irrigation, car washing and cleaning. The payback periods were calculated as 12 years for the hotel and industrial plant and 6 years for the residential building. The water savings were calculated as 46% for the hotel, 44% for the residential building, and 29% for the industrial plant. The results put forth the feasibility of this alternative water resource.

Climate change adaptation in Norwegian businesses − Awareness, integration and barriers

Preventive measures adopted to protect buildings and infrastructure from extreme weather and natural hazard events may serve to mitigate extensive damage and thus avoid major expenditures to businesses and society. A survey of 1,001 representative companies across different sectors and regions in Norway reveals that most companies fail to prioritise the climate change adaptation of their buildings or infrastructure. Most respondents have not conducted risk assessments. The greatest focus is adopted by large companies, those that own their buildings and infrastructure, and businesses in the primary and energy sectors. Small companies, service sector businesses and companies that rent their buildings and infrastructure are the least well prepared. The largest perceived barrier to adaptation is costs, followed by a lack of knowledge and competence in the fields of climate change impacts and adaptation measures. The large majority state that they do not measure climate change adaptation at all. Less than 10 per cent use indicators or evaluate their climate change adaptation efforts. Survey results suggest that Norwegian businesses need stronger incentives and clearly defined responsibilities, combined with appropriate tools and guidelines relevant to the entire climate change adaptation cycle. These will include the performance of risk assessments, the tracking of their adaptation status, as well as the measurement and evaluation of their climate change adaptation actions with the help of indicators.

Integrating traditional knowledge and cultural heritage with climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction: the role of training and tools

PurposeThis paper investigates potential solutions to the challenges governments and stakeholders face in applying climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction actions in ways that will save lives and use funds efficiently. The paper examines how traditional knowledge and cultural heritage can improve resilience and assesses the potential impact of relevant tools and training. Successful examples of tools, and applications of traditional knowledge as an accelerator to enhanced resilience will be explored.Design/methodology/approachThe paper studies the importance of integrating cultural heritage with climate and disaster risk reduction plans and examines why this has not been happening to the extent it should. While probing the barriers to such integration, the paper also explores examples of best practice drawn from experience gathered in ICCROM projects. Possible mechanisms to overcome common barriers through training are suggested, and the role that training and relevant tools could play in enabling and accelerating such integration are studied.FindingsThe conclusions demonstrate that training is a critical factor in facilitating the knowledge enhancement needed to understand how to integrate disaster and climate risks.Originality/valueThe research was conducted as part of a training program which the authors helped organize. The analysis is the original work of the authors.

Climate Justice and Climate Adaptation in California: Indigenous Community Climate Adaptation Leadership and Opportunities for Scientific Collaboration

Abstract Climate and weather-related disasters in California illustrate the need for immediate climate change action—both mitigation to reduce impacts and adaptation to protect our communities, relatives, and the ecosystems we depend upon. Indigenous frontline communities face even greater threats from climate impacts due to historical and political legacies of environmental injustice. Climate change adaptation actions have proven challenging to implement as communities struggle to access necessary climate data at appropriate scales, identify effective strategies that address community priorities, and obtain resources to act at a whole-community level. In this paper, we present three examples of Indigenous communities in California that have used a climate justice approach to climate change adaptation. These communities are drawing upon community knowledge and expertise to address the challenges of adaptation planning and taking actions that center community priorities. The three cases address emergency preparation and response, cultural burning and fire management, and community organizing and social cohesion. Across these spheres, they illustrate the ways in which a community-based and climate justice-focused approach to adaptation can be effective in addressing current threats while also addressing the legacy of imposed, socially constructed vulnerability and environmental injustices. Because we recognize the need for multiple knowledges and skills in adaptation actions, we include recommendations that have emerged based on what has been learned through these long-standing and engaged participatory research collaborations for climate scientists who wish to contribute to climate justice-focused adaptation efforts by using scientific data to support—not supplant—community efforts, target funding toward genuine community engagement and adaptation actions, and become aware of the historical and political legacies that created the climate vulnerabilities and injustices evident today.

Private Woodland Owner Perceptions of Threat and Efficacy Shape Management Responses for Climate Change Adaptation

Abstract Private woodland owners (PWOs) face an increasing number of considerations for climate change adaptation and mitigation activities in their forest management. Evidence suggests there may be a disconnect between PWOs’ climate change perceptions and behaviors, which can limit implementation. We conducted seventeen semistructured interviews in Maine to develop a typological framework of PWOs based on their perceptions of climate-induced threats and efficacy. Our results produced three types of PWOs: the steady-as-they-go landowner (low perceived threat), the science-driven landowner (high perceived threat; high efficacy), and the seeking-support landowner (high perceived threat; low efficacy). Although all three types of PWOs regularly implemented resistance and resilience practices, their attitudes toward transition practices (i.e., assisted migration) diverged based on their perceptions of threat and efficacy. This typological framework can be used when targeting communications to PWOs regarding the overlap between climate adaptive management and traditional best management practices. Study Implications: PWOs in our study recognized climate-related impacts while implementing diverse forest management practices to meet both climate-related and non-climate-related objectives. The divergent attitudes toward transition practices exhibited by our three PWO types highlight the notion that adaptive practices can be both intentional and incidental. Our findings suggest that outreach efforts should understand PWO perceptions of climate change threats and their feelings of efficacy in responding to such threats. When combined with knowledge about the overlap between traditional best management practices and new climate-adaptive strategies, extension and outreach efforts can tailor their messaging to fit the appropriate audience.

Adaptation to climate change in the mountain regions of Central Asia: A systematic literature review

AbstractThe mountains of Central Asia support many environmental functions and ecosystem services. The mountain environments and their services are affected by climate change and climate change adaptation (CCA) actions are required to increase resilience of regional communities. This paper is a systematic review of the English and Russian‐language literature published between 2013 (IPCC AR5) and May 2021 (IPCC AR6) focusing on CCA in the Central Asian mountains. In all, 52 publications have been reviewed. Criteria defining incremental and transformative adaptation were established and the reviewed studies were assigned to one of these approaches. The relatively low number of publications shows that the extent of CCA knowledge represented in academic literature is limited in comparison to other mountainous regions. There is a disparity between the growing body of publications addressing climate change and limited and decreasing number of academic publications focusing on adaptation in the region. Only 11 publications reported transformative adaptation actions. Most of the reviewed papers (55%) focus on water resources and future water availability; 15% focus on land degradation, 10% on changes in vertical zonation of plant species, 7% on loss of plant species, 3% on impacts of hazardous events, and 10% on multiple impacts of climate change. The awareness of the importance of CCA among the regional actors should be improved through closer collaboration between researchers, international organizations focusing on sustainable development and adaptation which have recently become more active in the region, practitioners, and local communities and co‐production of knowledge on the development and implementation of CCA.This article is categorized under: Trans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > Humanities and the Creative Arts Trans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > Humanities and the Creative Arts Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Institutions for Adaptation Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Observed Impacts of Climate Change

Driving toward sustainable cities: The interplay between Chinese emerging corporate ESG performance and climate finance in achieving low-carbon development

Climate finance plays a pivotal role in directing increased capital flow toward climate change mitigation and adaptation activities. Many emerging enterprises have grown rapidly under the influence of climate finance policies, contributing to urban low-carbon transition. Therefore, it is important to explore the interrelationships between climate finance, enterprise low-carbon transformations, and urban carbon emission efficiency. This study delves into the impact of climate finance on urban carbon emission efficiency and its underlying transmission mechanisms, drawing upon comprehensive panel data of 262 Chinese cities and 4125 enterprises from 2009 to 2019. The findings indicate that urban climate finance have significantly positive influences on urban carbon emission efficiency and unveil that enterprise environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance exhibits positive influences on urban carbon emission efficiency, underscoring the critical role of enterprises as the vanguard of climate finance. Moreover, the research presents the mediating effect of enterprise green innovation between the urban climate finance and carbon emission efficiency. The mediating effect manifests distinct threshold effects among different levels of enterprise green innovation. Our results suggest that China should enact tailored climate finance policies for higher urban emission efficiency, including judicious allocation of climate funds and effective guidance on enterprise-driven green technological innovation.

A Data-Driven Probabilistic Network Approach to Assess Model Similarity in CMIP Ensembles

Abstract The different phases of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) provide ensembles of past, present, and future climate simulations crucial for climate change impact and adaptation activities. These ensembles are produced using multiple global climate models (GCMs) from different modeling centers with some shared building blocks and interdependencies. Applications typically follow the “model democracy” approach which might have significant implications in the resulting products (e.g., large bias and low spread). Thus, quantifying model similarity within ensembles is crucial for interpreting model agreement and multimodel uncertainty in climate change studies. The classical methods used for assessing GCM similarity can be classified into two groups. The a priori approach relies on expert knowledge about the components of these models, while the a posteriori approach seeks similarity in the GCMs’ output variables and is thus data-driven. In this study, we apply probabilistic network models (PNMs), a well-established machine learning technique, as a new a posteriori method to measure intermodel similarities. The proposed methodology is applied to surface temperature fields of the historical experiments from the CMIP5 multimodel ensemble and different reanalysis gridded datasets. PNMs are able to learn the complex spatial dependency structures present in climate data, including teleconnections operating on multiple spatial scales, characteristic of the underlying GCM. A distance metric building on the resulting PNMs is applied to characterize GCM model dependencies. The results of this approach are in line with those obtained with more traditional methods but have further explanatory potential building on probabilistic model querying. Significance Statement The present study proposes the use of probabilistic network models (PNMs) to quantify model similarity within ensembles of global climate models (GCMs). This is crucial for interpreting model agreement and multimodel uncertainty in climate change studies. When applied to climate data (gridded global surface temperature in this study), PNMs encode the relevant spatial dependencies (local and remote connections). Similarities among the PNMs resulting from different GCMs can be quantified and are shown to capture similar GCM formulations reported in previous studies. Differently to other machine learning methods previously applied to this problem, PNMs are fully explainable (allowing probabilistic querying) and are applicable to high-dimensional gridded raw data.

Knowledge and Attitude of Village Communities towards Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Activities

The aim of this research is to determine the knowledge and attitudes of village communities towards climate change adaptation and mitigation activities to support the climate village program. The type of research is qualitative research, taking place in Laikang village, Takalar Regency. The study population was 6774 people. A sample of 200 people was determined using the side purposive method. The research instruments were questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) sheets, and observation sheets. The data analysis technique used in this research is descriptive analysis. The research results show that (1) the level of respondents’ knowledge regarding adaptation and mitigation activities is in the medium category; (2) respondents' attitudes towards adaptation and mitigation activities are in the medium category.

Implementation of the climate village program (Proklim) related to gender-based

The Climate Village Program (PROKLIM) experienced development and positive responses from 2011 to 2022 from various stakeholders. From the start, PROKLIM has prioritized sustainability aspects in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts at the grassroots level. With an effectiveness level reaching 80%, the implementation of PROKLIM can be seen from the active participation of the community in every stage of decision-making, from planning and implementation to monitoring activities in climate village locations, strengthening the sense of ownership of ongoing programs and activities. Even though it is considered adequate at 80%, according to SRN-PPI data, PROKLIM coordinators in each region must remain vigilant and strive to change the community's mindset and knowledge regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation actions. The success of PROKLIM activities depends on forming a sustainable community mindset in preserving and transforming the environment. The SIDIK, SPECTRUM, and SRNPPI platforms are expected to facilitate PROKLIM implementation and stakeholders, ensuring that community-based climate change adaptation and mitigation actions can be recorded, accounted for, and validated effectively. Keywords: PROKLIM, Effectiveness, Community Participation, Mitigation and Adaptation Actions, Gender Equality. Keywords: Proklim, Effectiveness, Community Participation, Mitigation and Adaptation Actions, Gender Equality.

ICT promotes smallholder farmers’ perceived self-efficacy and adaptive action to climate change: Empirical research on China's economically developed rural areas

Understanding the impact of technological advancements, such as ICT, on the climate change adaptation actions of smallholder farmers is crucial for comprehending their adaptive strategies. This study utilizes data from a survey of 2230 smallholder farmer households in the developed rural region of the Yangtze River Delta in China to examine the factors influencing their perceived self-efficacy and actions to adapt to climate change. Using binary logit regression and OLS models, we identify the role that determinants of ICT use play in shaping smallholders' perceived self-efficacy and adaptive action. Our findings corroborate that perceived self-efficacy is a robust, positive predictor of adaptive action. The data indicate that the sole presence of adaptation leaders predominantly enhances perceived self-efficacy. In contrast, adaptive investments at the village level are primarily associated with an increase in adaptive actions. However, peer effects may diminish smallholder perceived self-efficacy and adaptive action. In addition, our study indicates that while ICT has not currently supplanted traditional social networks in influencing smallholder climate change adaptation perceived self-efficacy and adaptive action, we cannot dismiss the potential substitution effect. We also clarify why the peer effects of traditional networks have starkly contrasting impacts in developed and less-developed rural regions in China. Overall, our findings underscore the importance of incorporating objective influencing factors of smallholder adaptation actions and their effects on subjective perceived self-efficacy into future climate change adaptation plans and policies to foster adaptation actions.

Socio-environmental impacts caused by tropical cyclones Idai and Eloise in Sussundenga District, Mozambique

Mozambique is greatly endowed with a diverse potential of natural resources, most of which are still unexploited or in an exploration phase. However, the country faces major challenges to make better use of the resources to feed the population and reduce poverty. The country is prone to recurrent natural disasters, such as: flooding and cyclones (north) and droughts (south). Between 2019 to 2021, Sussundenga District was punctuated by two severe tropical cyclones – Idai and Eloise – leaving immeasurable destruction of unprecedented magnitude in its wake. Worth mention that cyclone Eloise hit the country when it was coping with the harmful effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. To date, there has been little research that has been conducted on socio-environmental impacts of cyclones in this region. Furthermore, climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of tropical storms. Thus, this study has been designed as initial step towards filling that knowledge and evidence gap. The objective of this research was to investigate socio-environmental impacts caused by tropical cyclones in Sussundenga District. Preliminary, a desk-based study was made, followed by main data collection phase through in-depth interviews and participant observations. The results mapped which areas were the most affected within the district. It was observed that awareness of climate change is low in rural areas and women were more vulnerable to the effects of cyclones Idai and Eloise. Also, it was found that the lack of investment in climate change adaptation actions still pose a great challenge for the country.

Climate change adaptation for biodiversity in protected areas: An overview of actions

Protected Areas (PAs) have been a cornerstone of conservation policy in the past but are generally static and thus might be less useful under climate change as species move away from reserves designated for them. In addition, shifting phenology and habitat alteration due to extreme events could make conditions unviable within PAs for species unable to move. However, several recent papers documented their utility in retaining contracting species, acting as stepping-stones for expanding species of conservation concern and resisting invasion by vagrants. Theoretical studies have suggested a role for both protected area design and management to enable biodiversity to adapt to climate change and implementation of these actions has begun. Here we synthesise case studies of climate change adaptation actions in protected areas from the globally available literature. We found 91 case studies of 114 different actions from 30 countries, mostly within Europe, specifically the UK. Half reported an outcome of actions, however, these were generally either the area restored or protected, or incidental reports of colonisation by desired species, without a description of monitoring before and after action. In addition, 72 % of actions would have been beneficial to biodiversity without the presence of climate change, so transformative action is lacking. Better monitoring and reporting of outcomes are urgently needed to develop the evidence base on which actions are most effective, to enable more reserve managers to take action. Managers also need encouragement to identify transformative actions, perhaps by the use of scenario planning to aid understanding of future uncertainties.

Measuring the Policy of Public Information Disclosure to Adapt Climate Change in Indonesia

Marginal groups, such as local communities living near forests, expansive coastal areas, and women with limited access to water and energy, are the most vulnerable to climate change. Numerous things can be done to overcome that issue, one of which is by openly distributing information regarding climate change adaptation action plans. This study proposes to elucidate that the NDC document serves as public information and to describe the interrelation between Public Information Disclosure and the optimal realization of Indonesia’s climate change action goals. This qualitative study was a doctrinal legal research and employed a statute and conceptual approaches. The findings demonstrate that the NDC document qualifies as public information, necessitating its continuous disclosure and accessibility. The transparency of public information regarding climate change is crucial for achieving climate justice and facilitating climate change adaptation.

Location Analysis of The Best Climate Village in Paser Regency Using Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Situation (TOPSIS)

Since the enactment of the National Registration System (SRN) of the Directorate General of Climate Change Control based on the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia Number 71 of 2017 where SRN is a forum to manage and provide web-based data and information in the form of actions and resources in the implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation actions in Indonesia. Until 2023, there are 16 climate village locations in Paser Regency that have been reported to SRN with various levels of achievement according to the conditions of action that have been carried out by each climate village location. The purpose of this study is to analyze the best location of climate villages as reference locations in efforts to adapt and mitigate climate change in Paser Regency. The method used is TOPSIS, which calculates the highest value to the lowest of the closing results. From the results of the analysis, it was found that the best location of the climate village in Paser Regency that can be recommended as a reference location for ProKlim development is Muser Village, Muara Samu District, Paser Regency.

Linking Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation through Collaborative Governance: Experience from Urban Flooding in Jakarta

This paper examines the challenges of and facilitating strategies for linking disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in addressing urban floods, drawing from Indonesia’s experience. The fragmentation between efforts to implement DRR and CCA leading to unnecessary duplication could increase confusion at both the community and wider governance levels and reduce the effectiveness of urban flood management. Through the lens of collaborative governance, this paper analyzes the barriers for integrating DRR and CCA and options to better align their practices in the context of a megapolitan city, Jakarta, Indonesia. The key findings of this study confirmed that institutional fragmentation, in concert with inconsistent facilitation and collaboration mechanisms, were the strongest barriers to aligning DRR and CCA action. The absence of accountable leadership was a key impediment for successful partnership-building processes to support political and technical collaboration. Leadership in these contexts plays an important role in (1) developing sustainable relationships, (2) convincing potential stakeholders to collaborate, (3) persuading partners to commit to sharing resources, and (4) agreeing/sharing a common vision of the partnership actions needed to mitigate harm and reduce urban vulnerability. These factors are critically important for reducing the direct and indirect impacts of flooding in Jakarta. Such lessons from Indonesia on linking DRR and CCA offer valuable insights to inform the development of policies and strategies to deal with urban floods for global cities faced with similar challenges.

Review of climate change adaptation and mitigation implementation in Canada's forest ecosystems part II: successes and barriers to effective implementation

With its northern location, the exposure and vulnerability of Canada's forest ecosystems to climate change impacts are all too glaring. While there is now an extensive body of literature describing expected climate change impacts and potential responses, studies characterizing the implementation of adaptation and mitigation practices in forest management remain rare in the Canadian forest sector. Using a systematic literature review, we examined reports on forest management practices implemented in response to climate change, specifically focusing on governance and institutional arrangements that either support or limit climate change adaptation and mitigation responses. Our literature sample size of 24 documents suggests that the body of literature reporting on adaptation and mitigation practices in forest management is scarce. Governments remain the dominant actors providing funding and leading the implementation and reporting of climate change adaptation practices, primarily in response to national or international climate change commitments. Forest practices such as enhanced silviculture, assisted migration, and nature-based solutions were the most frequently reported. However, given the scarcity of literature, it is difficult to conclude the scope of climate change adaptation practice uptake in Canada. Barriers such as lack of information/data, inter-jurisdictional knowledge transfer, policy conflicts, forest tenure models, technical capacity gaps, and economic barriers to adaptation need to be overcome to strengthen climate change response in forest management. Better coordination of reporting at the provincial and national levels and improved information flows between private sector organizations and governments are needed.

Relationship between adaptation and mitigation of climate change with the climate village program (ProKlim) In Paser Regency

This study aims to understand the relationship between the Climate Village Program (ProKlim) success rate and climate change adaptation and mitigation actions in Paser Regency. The results of the analysis showed that simultaneously climate change adaptation actions had a real effect on the success rate of ProKlim in Paser Regency by 81.45% with a significance level of 0.00054 (less than α = 0.05), while climate change mitigation actions have a real effect on the success rate of ProKlim in Paser Regency by 83.66% with a significance level of 0.0052 (less than α = 0.05). Meanwhile, the relationship of adaptation actions to the success rate of the ProKlim in Paser Regency is partially influenced by the efforts of control of climate change-related diseases with a significant level of 0.0305 (less than α=0.05). Meanwhile, climate change mitigation actions, it is partially influenced by low-emission agricultural cultivation efforts with a significant level of 0.0305 (less than α=0.05). Thus, the efforts to achieve the success of ProKlim cannot be done partially but must be carried out comprehensively because the impact of climate change has been felt in all aspects so it is necessary to apply all variables of climate change adaptation and mitigation sustainably.