Climate change adaptation in Australia: experience, challenges and capability development

Abstract

International and Australian climate change adaptation research has identified conceptual frameworks, definitions and theories to support adaptation policy, planning and decision-making. However, there is more limited research on the practical experience and challenges of implementing adaptation. This article draws on the experience of 20 state, regional and local adaptation initiatives across a range of sectors, scales and locations in Australia, to identify the challenges faced by adaptation practitioners and decision-makers, and some emerging good practices. The review finds that many critical challenges to adaptation are common across the range of adaptation initiatives, and that there are significant interdependencies between these challenges. They should therefore be addressed in any significant adaptation initiative, at an early stage and as a related set of issues. The review also identifies potential national initiatives to enhance adaptation capabilities, and a number of policy issues beyond the jurisdiction of local stakeholders. These have been progressed as part of a broader agenda to support adaptation capability development within Australia, and to strengthen the linkages between adaptation practice, policy and research.

Keywords:

• climate adaptation
• local
• practice
• projects
• synthesis

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the support from Jean Palutikof and Dave Rissik (NCCARF), Steve Dovers and Will Steffen (ANU) in co-sponsoring the workshops and processes referred to in this research, as well as support and input from the Australian Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency; from Steve Dovers (ANU) and Roger Street (UK CIP) for their comments on an earlier draft of the article; and from all of the workshop and other process participants for their generous contribution of time and insights, including through subsequent validation of the conclusions that became the basis for this article. We also acknowledge the very useful feedback from two anonymous reviewers.