Navigating adaptive futures: analysing the scope of political possibilities for climate adaptation

Figures & data

Figure 1. Breakdown

of types of submissions to the draft National Adaptation Plan.

Note: not all submitters on behalf of organisations specified what type of organisation they represented.

Figure 2. Visual representation of four adaptive futures on a spectrum of scope of possibilities from status quo to more transformative.

Table 1. Emerging informal advocacy coalitions and framing for adaptive futures.

	Framing	Emerging informal advocacy coalitions
Data-driven resilience	Techno-managerial approach to social and political change to achieve adaptation Knowledge deficit approach to address uncertainty and risk Emphasis on achieving change through existing institutions and political structures	Industry groups and representative organisations Businesses and corporations Local and central government agencies
Growth and opportunity	Possibilities for change are situated within the existing social and political status quo Focus on opportunities for economic growth and innovation arising from adaptation	Industry groups and representative organisations Businesses and corporations
Nature-society change	More integrated, holistic and place-based approaches to social and political change Encompasses a diversity of approaches that range from working within existing systems to more transformational approaches Some approaches consider more-than-human perspectives	Local and central government agencies Some iwi and hapū Non governmental organisations Community and environmental groups Research organisations
Flaxroots transformation	More transformational and radically oriented social and political change Considers environmental and social justice to aim for new institutions, values and norms A focus on a plurality of knowledge and worldviews, including those advocating for decolonisation and iwi/hapū led adaptation Local and regional scale approaches through community aspirations for circular economies, food security and networks of care and reciprocity	Community and environmental groups Some iwi and hapū Non-governmental organisations

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available through the New Zealand Government Ministry for the Environment at https://consult.environment.govt.nz/climate/national-adaptation-plan/consultation/published_select_respondent.