Mainstreaming climate change adaptation into urban development : lessons from two South African cities

[摘要] (cont.) Tracing the adaptation mainstreaming process further suggests a few key implications for donors and others looking to support cities in their climate adaptation efforts. Firstly, the process of integrating adaptation into municipal line function core operations and decision making processes is undeniably challenging and slow. Thus, in light of scarce resources and other more seemingly pressing agendas, a department is unlikely to begin substantively embedding adaptation unless first seeing the agenda as conceptually intertwined with core functions and immediately actionable. Secondly, although this research did not control for the presence of a city-wide climate adaptation office, the experience of the featured departments suggests that such an office can play a critical role in pushing and supporting departments to mainstream adaptation. Such offices can identify and channel additional sources of funds for adaptation, educate departments about climate change risks, and keep the adaptation agenda politically visible. Thirdly, the way in which adaptation is framed as an agenda within a city has repercussions for departmental buy-in. For example, an environmental problem framing may not be the most advantageous for departments such as housing who historically see environmental agendas as external to, or even in conflict with, their core mandates. Meanwhile, other departments may be reluctant to respond to push factors or support from city-wide climate offices if they perceive adaptation as working against fulfillment of some core responsibilities, even if enhancing others.

[发布机构] Massachusetts Institute of Technology