Adaptation pathways in planning for uncertain climate change: Applications in Portugal, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Issue 78 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zandvoort, Mark; Campos, Inês S.; Vizinho, André; Penha-Lopes, Gil; Lorencová, Eliška Krkoška; van der Brugge, Rutger; van der Vlist, Maarten J.; van den Brink, Adri; Jeuken, Ad B.M.
• Is Part Of: Environmental science & policy. Issue 78(2017)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Planning tools -- Policy-making -- Design choices -- Climate adaptation -- Uncertainty -- Adaptation pathways; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Sciences de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Environmental policy; Environmental sciences; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70561
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2017.08.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-9011

Abstract

Highlights: Adaptive planning tools need to be purposefully tailored to particular planning practices. Accounting for local practices determines the successful transfer of tools. Adaptation pathways are flexible enough to be adjusted to different practices. Six design choices influence the adequate tailoring of adaptation pathways. Delivery of adequate adaptation policy remains a highly challenging endeavour. Abstract: Adaptation pathways are developed to design adaptive policies to handle climate change uncertainty. Use of this tool varies across planning practices and adaptation challenges and adjusting the tool to particular practices can foster its adequate use. To gain insight into the use of adaptation pathways, we compared four initiatives (one each in Portugal and the Czech Republic and two in the Netherlands) with regard to design choices made. We found six design choices which need to be considered when adjusting adaptation pathways. Design choices about the geographic scale, inclusion of sectors, the generation and delineation of adaptation options, specification of possible pathways, the related performance metrics and the type of assessment are interdependent, but they are also influenced by contextual aspects. Analysis of the institutional diversity, planning culture and framing shows that the use of adaptation pathways is flexible enough to be adjusted for diverging planning practices. However, the tool is best suited to deliver local adaptation solutions, and adequate use depends on consensus about the adaptation problem, setting objective thresholds and determining uncertainty about future change. We conclude that understanding the customised use of tools for local planning practices is essential for adaptive policy design.