Identifying leverage points for strengthening adaptive capacity to climate change

Abstract

Leverage points from systems research are increasingly important to understand how to support transformations towards sustainability, but few studies have considered leverage points in strengthening adaptive capacity to climate change. The existing literature mainly considers strengthening adaptive capacity as a steady and linear process. This article explores possibilities to fast track positive adaptive capacity trajectories of small-scale farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana. Leverage points were identified by triangulating data from semistructured interviews with farmers (n=72), key informant interviews (n=7) and focus group discussions (FG1 n=17; FG2 n=20). The results present two ways to approach adaptation planning: 1) using four generic leverage points (gender equality, social learning, information and knowledge, and access to finance) or 2) combining the adaptive capacity and leverage point frameworks, thereby creating 15 associations. The generic points provide a set of topics as a starting point for policy and intervention planning activities, while the 15 associations support the identification of place-specific leverage points. Four benefits of using leverage points for adaptive capacity in adaptation planning were identified: guidance on where to intervene in a system, ability to deal with complex systems, inclusion of both causal and teleological decision-making, and a possibility to target deep, transformative change.

How stable are visions for protected area management? Stakeholder perspectives before and during a pandemic

“…In recent years, the concept of ‘leverage points’ for transformative change has been built upon in the research community, referring to identifying places in a social–ecological system whereby small shifts may lead to system changes (Fischer & Riechers, 2019). The benefits of considering leverage points in adaptation planning include providing guidance on where interventions should be made and targeting deep, transformative change (Rosengren et al., 2020). However, the COVID‐19 pandemic has demonstrated that the world we live in is increasingly uncertain and subject to shocks, wild cards and black swan events, which in some cases can change visions for management.…”

“…The benefits of considering leverage points in adaptation planning include providing guidance on where interventions should be made and targeting deep, transformative change (Rosengren et al, 2020).…”

Co-Creation for Sustainability

“…When actors appear intractably opposed, a positive strategy for supporting movement toward sustainability is to identify "leverage points"that is, points around which intervention in social systems are more likely to produce transformational change (Abson et al, 2017). Cocreation can be a strategy for engaging communities in identifying leverage points (Rosengren, Raymond, Sell, & Vihinen, 2020).…”

Human-nature connectedness as leverage point

“…When navigating complex social-ecological systems toward sustainability, adaptation to climate change should build on systemic conceptualizations, while remaining locally focused when applied. Considering the severe impact of climate change in the agricultural systems, Rosengren et al (2020) explore leverage points for strengthening the adaptive capacity of small-scale farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana. The article explores possibilities to fast-track positive adaptive capacity trajectories at the farm and food system, using the leverage points perspective.…”

“…Consequently, 15 place-specific leverage points are presented in the topics: gender equality, social learning, information and knowledge, and access to finance. Finally, Rosengren et al (2020) identify four benefits of using leverage points for adaptive capacity in adaptation planning: i) provide guidance on where to intervene in a system, ii) provide the ability to deal with complex systems, iii) embrace both casual and teleological decision-making and iv) target at deep, transformative change.…”