Environmental and climate policy integration: Targeted strategies for overcoming barriers to nature-based solutions and climate change adaptation

Wamsler, C., Wickenberg, B., Hanson, H., Alkan Olsson, J., Stålhammar, S., Björn, H., … Zelmerlow, F. (2019). Environmental and climate policy integration: Targeted strategies for overcoming barriers to nature-based solutions and climate change adaptation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 119154. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119154

Platform
Skåne
Publication type
Scientific article (peer-reviewed)
Projects
City-to-city learning lab
DOI Title
Environmental and climate policy integration: Targeted strategies for overcoming barriers to nature-based solutions and climate change adaptation
Journal
Journal of Cleaner Production
ISSN/ISBN
0959-6526
DOI
10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119154
Author(s)
C. Wamsler B. Wickenberg H. Hanson J. Alkan Olsson S. Stålhammar H. Björn H. Falck D. Gerell T. Oskarsson E. Simonsson F. Torffvit F. Zelmerlow
Published year
Subject
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment Strategy and Management Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering General Environmental Science
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Abstract

Nature-based adaptation planning is a challenging endeavor, not least because it requires transdisciplinary approaches to unite different actors' efforts and capacities. However, empirical knowledge on associated governance processes is scarce and fragmented. Against this background, this paper examines the integration of nature-based approaches for climate change adaptation into municipalities’ daily planning practices and associated governance. A city-to-city learning lab was established to systematically analyze selected urban development projects step-by-step, from the initial idea, to comprehensive and detailed planning, procurement, implementation, maintenance and follow-up. The results show the numerous constraints municipal staff face and how they use targeted strategies to overcome them and tap into existing drivers. We identify five, complementary strategies: i) targeted stakeholder collaboration; ii) strategic citizen involvement; iii) outsourcing; iv) the alteration of internal working structures; and v) concealed science–policy integration. Importantly, these strategies reveal an increasing need for relational approaches that, in turn, require individuals to develop the cognitive/emotional capacity to establish trust, communicate inclusively and promote social learning, while at the same time dealing with an increasingly complex and uncertain working environment. We conclude that tapping into the potential of nature-based solutions for climate adaptation governance requires more financial and human resources, and capacity development to support personal development, systematic mainstreaming and, ultimately, more sustainable development.

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