A framework to diagnose barriers to climate change adaptation

Moser, Susanne C.; Ekstrom, Julia A.

doi:10.1073/pnas.1007887107

Cited by 1,323 publications

(1,041 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Although barriers can be theoretically overcome with concerted effort (Moser and Ekstrom 2010), precedence suggests that such effort seems highly unlikely for many communities in our cases. For example, the economic barrier to the strategy of coastal protection in the Torres Strait and the political and policy barriers to allocating sufficient water to wetlands were perceived more as soft limits rather than malleable barriers.…”

Section: Key Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are many definitions, synonyms, and typologies of barriers that impede adaptation (Biesbroek et al 2013). We define barriers to adaptation as obstacles that can be overcome with concerted effort (sensu Moser and Ekstrom 2010), and we define limits to adaptation as the points at which adaptation actions fail to protect things that stakeholders value (sensu Adger et al 2009a). …”

Section: The Interplay Between Barriers and Limitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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From barriers to limits to climate change adaptation: path dependency and the speed of change

Barnett¹,

Evans²,

Gross³

et al. 2015

E&S

202

123

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ABSTRACT. Research on the barriers and limits to climate change adaptation identifies many factors, but describes few processes whereby adaptation is constrained or may indeed fail to avoid catastrophic losses. It often assumes that barriers are by and large distinct from limits to adaptation. We respond to recent calls for comparative studies that are able to further knowledge about the underlying drivers of barriers and limits to adaptation. We compare six cases from across Australia, including those in alpine areas, rivers, reefs, wetlands, small inland communities, and islands, with the aim of identifying common underlying drivers of barriers and limits to adaptation. We find that the path-dependent nature of the institutions that govern natural resources and public goods is a deep driver of barriers and limits to adaptation. Path-dependent institutions are resistant to change. When this resistance causes the changes necessary for adaptation to be slower than changes in climate, then it becomes a limit to adaptation.

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Section: Key Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Interplay Between Barriers and Limitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

From barriers to limits to climate change adaptation: path dependency and the speed of change

Barnett¹,

Evans²,

Gross³

et al. 2015

E&S

202

123

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Consequently, recent research has focused on improving our understanding of how forest managers perceive climate risks, aiming to determine the factors and barriers associated with adapting forest management to climate change (Moser and Ekstrom 2010). Generally, recent studies point to a low risk awareness among forest managers (Eriksson 2014), and a limited belief in the need for climate change adaptation (Lawrence and Marzano 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The sensitivity of current and future forest managers to climate-induced changes in ecological processes

Seidl

Aggestam

Rammer

et al. 2015

Ambio

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Climate vulnerability of managed forest ecosystems is not only determined by ecological processes but also influenced by the adaptive capacity of forest managers. To better understand adaptive behaviour, we conducted a questionnaire study among current and future forest managers (i.e. active managers and forestry students) in Austria. We found widespread belief in climate change (94.7 % of respondents), and no significant difference between current and future managers. Based on intended responses to climate-induced ecosystem changes, we distinguished four groups: highly sensitive managers (27.7 %), those mainly sensitive to changes in growth and regeneration processes (46.7 %), managers primarily sensitive to regeneration changes (11.2 %), and insensitive managers (14.4 %). Experiences and beliefs with regard to disturbance-related tree mortality were found to particularly influence a manager's sensitivity to climate change. Our findings underline the importance of the social dimension of climate change adaptation, and suggest potentially strong adaptive feedbacks between ecosystems and their managers.

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“…The framework focuses on project developers' capabilities to progress projects through PDC stages. Although in reality PDC progression may be messy and iterative, the framework facilitates linear analysis for convenience and clarity (Moser & Ekstrom, 2010). The framework aims to be both actor-centric and context-aware.…”

Section: Materials Collection and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moser and Ekstrom's (2010) approach for identifying constraints obstructing climate adaptation was used as a starting point. The framework focuses on project developers' capabilities to progress projects through PDC stages.…”

Section: Materials Collection and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Can CDM finance energy access in Least Developed Countries? Evidence from Tanzania

2015

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Policy documents and academic literature suggest that Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) finance could complement traditional 'energy access' (EA) funding in developing countries, including the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Yet these propositions have not been empirically tested. This study helps fill this gap by examining constraints to CDM project passage through five stages of an idealized project development cycle (PDC) in Tanzania, and their implications for the ability of the CDM to contribute to financing energy access in LDCs. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews and documentary material were analysed using an analytical framework developed for systematic investigation of constraints. Institutional constraints such as the under-performance of Tanzania's Designated National Authority were the most often mentioned obstacles for project development. Yet non-institutional constraints such as limited energy sector mitigation potential, indigenous skill shortages, and low carbon market prices also hinder project development. Institutional constraints buttress, rather than supersede, pre-existing noninstitutional constraints, and together they prevent energy projects from completing the PDC and accessing CDM finance. The number and severity of constraints suggest that the situation is unlikely to change rapidly, and that the CDM sustains and exacerbates existing global inequalities. Since traditional energy access funding is insufficient to address these inequalities, new funding and policy mechanisms are required. Policy relevanceThe CDM fails to fill the EA financing gap in Tanzania. This is also true for other LDCs where comparable project development challenges prevail. The CDM therefore appears to sustain uneven development patterns overlooking those most in need. Claims about its potential to enhance EA are misplaced, and the situation is unlikely to change rapidly. CDM and carbon market projects more widely will have limited ability to help financing EA in LDCs, even if the institutional setting within which they are implemented were reformed in the future. Yet traditional energy funding will be inadequate on its own. The debate over extending the CDM post-2017, when the second Kyoto Protocol commitment period expires, should be informed by honest appraisal of its merits and defects. Policy makers should revisit lessons provided by this article and wider research to help ensure that new EA mechanisms are not hampered by constraints and can benefit those most in need.

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A framework to diagnose barriers to climate change adaptation

Cited by 1,323 publications

References 45 publications

From barriers to limits to climate change adaptation: path dependency and the speed of change

From barriers to limits to climate change adaptation: path dependency and the speed of change

The sensitivity of current and future forest managers to climate-induced changes in ecological processes

Can CDM finance energy access in Least Developed Countries? Evidence from Tanzania

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