Research Handbook on Climate Change Adaptation Policy

This topical and engaging Research Handbook illustrates the variety of research approaches in the field of climate change adaptation policy in order to provide a guide to its social and institutional complexity. A range of international expert contributors offer interdisciplinary explorations of climate change adaptation policy from policy sciences, legal, and practitioner perspectives. Using examples from a variety of sectors including water, health and land use, and multiple levels of governance and country contexts, from international to local, and developing to developed countries, the chapters examine a wealth of theoretical orientations towards climate change adaptation policy and their underpinnings. In doing so, this Research Handbook provides an understanding of the complexity of the institutions, decision-makers and assumptions that are involved in adaptation research as well as adaptation policy development and implementation. This Research Handbook will be an indispensable resource for both researchers and practitioners in climate change adaptation with an interest in the research methods and policies that support and advance it. Undergraduate and postgraduate students of environmental studies, public policy and politics will also find this book provides a valuable foundation for building a deeper knowledge of adaptation science and policy. Contributors include: A. Atteridge, J. Bergh, R. Biesbroek, K.J. Bowen, D. Burton, S.N. Chau, C. Clar, S. Connor, G. Cundill, A. Dertinger, K.L. Ebi, S. Fritzen, K. Grecksch, F. Groundstroem, B. Harvey, M. Howlett, D. Javeline, S. Juhola, A. Jurgilevich, R.J. Keenan, E.C.H. Keskitalo, J. Klein, J. Lawrence, E. Lisa, J. McDonald, I. Mukherjee, M. Mullan, J. Munck, L.O. Naess, J. Nalau, H. Nelson, I. Noble, T. O'Donnell, A. Oels, M. Parsons, Å. Persson, B.L. Preston, M. Purdon, M. Rahman, A. Räsänen, D. Russel, F. Schipper, T.F. Smith, C.A. Sova, R. Steurer, R. Swart, P. Thornton, M. Twena, A. Wellstead, J. Wenta

Table of Contents:
Contents: Part I. Introduction: Understanding Adaptation in the Context of Social Theory E. C. H. Keskitalo and B. L. Preston 1. The evolving interactions between adaptation research, international policy, and development practice Ian Noble Part II. Theoretical Frameworks and Systems Relevant to Climate Change Adaptation Policy Research 2. Challenges Associated with Implementing Climate Adaptation Policy Michael Howlett, Ishani Mukherjee and Scott Fritzen 3. The role of law and legal systems in climate change adaptation policy Joseph Wenta and Jan McDonald 4. Moving from incremental to transformational change in climate adaptation policy? An institutionalist perspective Johan Munck af Rosenschöld and Jaap G. Rozema 5. Enabling conditions for the mainstreaming of adaptation policy and practice Duncan Russel 6. Unpacking the potential role of social learning in adaptation policy Georgina Cundill and Blane Harvey 7. The promise and limits of participation in adaptation governance: Moving beyond participation towards disruption Angela Oels 8. Research methodology for adaptation policy analysis: embracing the eclectic messy centre Mark Purdon and Philip Thornton Part III: Understanding Adaptation Policy Development and Implementation at Different Levels and Country Contexts 9. Adaptation policy at supranational level? Evidence from the European Union Robbert Biesbroek and Rob Swart 10. The emergence and institutionalisation of national adaptation strategies Alexandra Jurgilevich, Fanny Groundstroem, Johannes Klein, Aleksi Räsänen and Sirkku Juhola 11. Adaptation in advanced economies. Progress and challenges in OECD countries Michael Mullan and Andrea Dertinger 12. Adaptation policy and planning in developing countries Chase A. Sova and E. Lisa F. Schipper 13. Adaptation policy and planning in Pacific Small Island Developing States Meg Parsons and Johanna Nalau 14. From Adaptive Capacity to Policy Capacity Adaptation Assessments: Insights from the Policy Sciences Mehjabeen Rahman, Adam Wellstead and Michael Howlett 15. Climate change adaptation strategies at different levels of government Christoph Clar and Reinhard Steurer 16. The role of governance in sub-national adaptation policy implementation Johanna Nalau, Judy Lawrence and Donovan Burton 17. Local adaptation governance: Examining power relations Lars Otto Naess and Michelle Twena Part IV. Sectoral and Cross-Cutting Perspectives on Adaptation Policy 18. The role of finance for adaptation Åsa Persson and Aaron Atteridge 19. Water Resources Kevin Grecksch 20. Property rights and land use planning on the Australian coast Tayanah O'Donnell, Timothy F. Smith and Sarah Connor 21. Climate change adaptation in forest production systems in a globalizing economy Rodney J. Keenan, Harry Nelson, E. Carina H. Keskitalo and Johan Bergh 22. Adaptation of Ecosystems in the Anthropocene Debra Javeline and Sophia N. Chau 23. Adaptation in health systems Kristie L. Ebi, Kathryn J Bowen 24. Conclusions: Climate Change Adaptation Policy Research and its Role in Understanding Climate Change Keskitalo, E. C. H. and B. L. Preston Index

About the Author :
Edited by E.C.H. Keskitalo, Professor of Political Science, Department of Geography and Economic History, Umeå University, Sweden and B.L. Preston, RAND Corporation, US

Review :
'This thoughtful, timely and comprehensive perspective on climate change adaptation policy provides insights into adaptation as it transitions from theory and planning towards practical implementation. The book is comprehensive and essential reading for all researchers, practitioners, policy- and decision-makers wanting to understand why adaptation is the way it is - why action is sometimes delayed, ineffective or maladaptive, and what the barriers are to achieving successful outcomes.' --Jean Palutikof, Griffith University, Australia