Adaptation to climate changes, climate policy integration and institutional capacity in local government

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1 Adaptation to climate changes, climate policy integration and institutional capacity in local government Anne Jensen & Helle Ørsted Nielsen Aarhus University Third Nordic International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation Copenhagen, August, 2014

2 Outline Introduction CPI as basic premise CPI and institutional capacity in local governance Context of national CPI in NAS Conclusions

3 Introduction Rationale: Climate change adaptation is a complex and knowledge intensive, cross-sector and multi-scale policy problem but mandatory EU policy Local governance plays a key role in implementing adaptation but adaptation is novel ground and a challenge adapting knowledge and measures to local context Research aims: How do Danish local government institutions manage the challenges of climate adaptation and why do some local government institutions promote while others hamper adaptation?

4 CPI as basic premise Integration of climate policy objectives/rationales/aims due to Local (and national) policy making is organised along sectoral divides Climate impacts are complex policy problems and imbedded in multiple relations to other policy areas Robust and effective adaptation policy involves Climate Policy Integration (CPI)

5 CPI as basic premise Takes EPI as point of departure builds on national and European long-time policies CPI concerns Incorporation of climate policy issues/aims in all stages of policy making, inclusion in all (relevant) policy areas, and minimize contradictions with other policies and objectives (Mickwitz et al, 2009)

6 CPI as basic premise Strong/weak integration Weak integration implies that sectoral policy makers take environmental/climate considerations into account Strong integration means to place these considerations at the heart of the policy process in the sectors (Jordan and Lenschow 2010) Applies equally for local/regional level policy institutions

7 CPI as basic premise Process oriented Challenges the traditional hierarchy of policy issues (Adelle and Russel, 2013) Rethink the policy and revise the way policy institutions work CPI in the form of Understanding of and commitment to climate policy objectives across sectors and levels of policy making Process of governing Outcome of policy

8 Institutional capacity conditioned by Institutional capacity in the literature: Climate events are wake-up calls fundraising cloudbursts or fires, e.g. Copenhagen July 2, 2011 Perception of climate change and apaptation among institutional actors How CPI is managed Organisation of climate policy making and engagement with/participation of stakeholders Leadership Climate policy s position on local policy agendas Local space for policy action relative to national policies Institutional environment, including robustness and political culture Framing and access to relevant knowledge

9 Methods Local government CPI Literature study for developing the conceptual framework 3 in depth qualitative case studies, based on policy document analysis and qualitative interviews Survey with the 98 Danish municipalities National level CPI common framework for collecting and analysing data Qualitative policy document analysis & ethnographic interviews

10 CPI and institutional capacity in local governance In the context of mandatory climate plans with short deadline Overall, we found Development in awareness over the time span of the study Major challenges: Lack of knowledge and expertise, limited existing awareness, existing local conflicts, strained local economies but also innovative approaches, enthusiasm and commitment Diversified ways of formulating Climate Plans and integrating adaptation in local policy making in different institutional environments for local policy making

11 CPI and institutional capacity in local governance Political and managerial leadership Pushing individual and institutional awareness and priority Maintaining adaptation on local agendas after the flooding... Strategic approach stressing synergies with other priority policy issues Including green growth, employment, liveable urban spaces, green infrastructure for recreation, place identity/branding but not really biodiversity Reaching beyond T&E Administrations requires long term commitment by Financial Administration

12 CPI and institutional capacity in local governance Relevant and enough institutional resources Enables building, and allocating, expertise and knowledge Acknowledge adaptation policy as a learning process Including experiential and innovative measures and policy making processes Involves multiple actors participatory processes

13 Context of national CPI in NAS All member states to develop National Adaptation Strategies extend and interpretation of CPI varies The Danish NAS Sectors targeted at national level: water management; nature conservation; health; energy; transport infrastructure; water supply; land-use planning; agriculture; insurance; coastal protection; building/construction; and local government No regional level but wide framework for local government (deliberated) Mandatory municipal Climate Plans and extra funding for water management

14 Context of national CPI in NAS DK NAS, cont: National unit Provide specified climate knowledge (evidence based) and data on impacts and risks; Task force providing guidance and expert assistance, including economic assessment Legal framework: Mandatory Plans & Change of Planning Act Follow-up in 2015

15 Context of national CPI in NAS CPI approach Framework rather than specified actions challenging but engages local policy actors, i.e. targets ways of thinking Agenda-setting committing sectoral and local actors Creates shared ownership of adaptation agenda foster autonomous actions Ambiguous spaces for institutional learning short time span and follow up not specified while the plans supported by the task force stimulate capacity building

16 Conclusions CPI basic for robust adaptation policies Locally and nationally Some municipalities better equipped to develop strategic local policies and measures most pushed to develop institutional capacity by the mandatory climate plans Leadership necessary Stressing synergies Sufficient resources that enables building, and allocating, expertise and knowledge Learning process including experiential and innovative measures and policy making processes

17 Conclusions Challenges the very ambitious CPI objectives of the EU In local contexts, immediate needs are pressing and can serve as starting point in DK water and flooding issues Limits to the co-benefits of e.g. green infrastructure cum recreation/urban space, or green growth? Limits to the policy areas that CPI must extend to?

18 Conclusions Institutional learning, integration of climate knowledge and flexible planning crucial, thus stepby-step approach to build and enhance capacity Local level adaptation and institutional capacity contextualised NAS and EU policy important catalysts

19 Thank you for your attention and envs.au.dk base-adaptation.eu