Why tackle a far-off problem? Municipal resistance to climate change adaptation from an organisational change perspective

Maya Marieke van den Berg, Franciscus H.J.M. Coenen

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

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    Abstract

    Although the importance of local government is often emphasized when it comes to climate change adaptation, empirical data reveal that local efforts have been rather limited. Why does one observe this paradoxical situation? This article presents empirical data gathered through a questionnaire (n=70) and case studies (n=13) demonstrating that resistance within Dutch municipalities prevents organisational adaptation despite there being strong external forces for change. We offer two explanations for this observation. Firstly, we have observed a strongly divided approach to climate change adaptation where each of the involved sub-units (i.e. policy domains) has its own perception of climate change, and of the preferred ‘solution’ to tackle the related problems. Secondly, we have sensed a general feeling that adaptation is not really a local responsibility. In this perspective, the concept of climate change is associated with a far-off future, distant in time and space. We conclude that actions by regional and national governments are needed to enable municipalities to look beyond their local and sectoral partitions.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages-
    Publication statusPublished - 18 Sept 2012
    EventResearch workshop on barriers to adaptation to climate change - Berlin
    Duration: 18 Sept 201221 Sept 2012

    Conference

    ConferenceResearch workshop on barriers to adaptation to climate change
    CityBerlin
    Period18/09/1221/09/12

    Keywords

    • METIS-290902
    • IR-82667

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