Deciding climate change adaptation implementation at the local level: a tale of two cities in the Netherlands

Franziska Baack*, Stefan M.M. Kuks, Gül Özerol, Joanne Vinke-de Kruijf, Johannes I.M. Halman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

72 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The implementation of adaptation to climate change lags behind necessary adaptation. Implementation of adaptation often takes place at the local level, influenced by local factors and mechanisms producing mainstreamed or standalone adaptation outcomes. Because mainstreaming adaptation is seen as accelerating adaptation, understanding this process is crucial for expediting its implementation. The lack of insight into the influence of context on mainstreaming and its respective outcomes hinders the transfer of lessons between different contexts. To address this gap, we investigate the question “Why do municipal policy processes lead to either standalone or mainstreamed adaptation implementation decisions?” We apply the Multiple Streams Framework to explain local adaptation implementation decisions to compare adaptation in Enschede and Zwolle, two Dutch adaptation frontrunners. We conclude that issue-linking with locally salient issues facilitates adaptation mainstreaming in a case without problem urgency, whereas a focusing event leads to standalone adaptation implementation if crisisframing is applied.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages21
JournalJournal of environmental planning and management
Early online date28 Oct 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Oct 2024

Keywords

  • Climate change adaptation
  • Local government
  • Mainstreaming
  • Mechanisms
  • Multiple streams

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Deciding climate change adaptation implementation at the local level: a tale of two cities in the Netherlands'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this