Dutch municipal climate change adaptation - Barriers & tools for adaptation planning

Abstract

Local risks of climate change are predicted to intensify in the Netherlands. Therefore, national ambitions are set to become more resilient by adapting to climate change, for which municipalities are recognized as important actors. However, many municipalities encounter barriers that prevent them from working (further) on adaptation planning. Through the online knowledge platform spatial adaptation (KRA), tools are offered to support municipalities in their endeavors. The aim of this research is to provide recommendations for improving the suitability of the KRA support tools for addressing the main perceived barriers to Dutch municipal climate adaptation. This is done by prioritizing the perceived barriers (84 interviews), identifying the assumptions underlying the KRA support tools (1 interview + document analysis) and evaluating to what extent the available support tools are suitable for addressing these main barriers. Suitability is assessed based on two indicators: the match between the goals of the KRA support tools and the main barriers (reconstruction of policy theory), and the use and perception of the suitability of support tools by municipalities (interviews). The following central research question is formulated to guide the analysis: To what extent are KRA support tools suitable for addressing the main barriers to adaptation planning for Dutch municipalities? The main perceived barriers are a lack of urgency, a lack of knowledge of risks and measures, and limited capacity. A lack of urgency is considered the most significant barrier to adaptation planning. The goals of the KRA support tools match the main perceived barriers by municipalities. However, the extent to which the tools can help overcome these barriers is often limited. Tools for risk assessment are suitable for less-advanced municipalities that are taking initial steps towards adaptation planning. These tools can help increase a sense of urgency and develop knowledge of local risks and vulnerabilities. However, the tools are less suitable for more advanced municipalities, as addressing their barriers requires context-specific data, and knowledge of under-addressed risks and challenges, which the KRA support tools currently are not able to provide.