<p>One of the distinguishing features of successful societies is the ability to adapt to change, both</p><p>social but also natural changes like climate change. Climate change is a complex, dynamic,</p><p>non-linear process with a great deal of uncertainty concerning the time perspective, risks and</p><p>consequences. A combination of factors like climate change, geographical vulnerability, a</p><p>densely populated and highly built up coast line along with factors like deficient handling of</p><p>surface runoff and a large usage of ground water leads to an increasingly vulnerable society. It</p><p>also puts a greater pressure on the society to have preventive measures in place.</p><p>The number of actors working with preparing society to the expected impacts of climate</p><p>change and variability is increasing. However more than half of Sweden’s municipalities do</p><p>not consider changing climatic conditions when planning, and many times even allow the</p><p>construction of new living areas in known climatically vulnerable areas. Certain geographical</p><p>areas in Sweden are characterized by environmental problems which enhance the predicted</p><p>effects of climate change. The coast of Scania (Skåne) is one such area, where people for a</p><p>long time have had to adjust to conditions like coastal erosion, recurring high tides, low lying</p><p>areas and sinking land.</p><p>The following study elaborates the politics of adaptive capacity. It is based on a comparative</p><p>case study of two different policy processes regarding adjustments to climatic conditions in</p><p>the coastal municipalities of Vellinge and Lomma in south-western Scania. In other words,</p><p>this study explores the underlying factors that can explain what drives anticipatory measures</p><p>to strengthen the ability and possibility to handle effects related to climate change. The</p><p>theoretical framework consists of theories regarding policy changes in social ecological</p><p>systems, and adaptation to climate. Structural actor based perspective, as well as system</p><p>oriented and process oriented have been applied.</p><p>The results are based on 14 interviews with key politicians, officials and stakeholders from</p><p>non-governmental organizations. The study is also based on reports, a citizen’s survey from</p><p>Statistics Sweden (SCB), newspaper articles, municipal documents, web sites and literature.</p><p>The results show that the municipality of Vellinge implemented adaptation strategies years</p><p>before Lomma municipality. Policy change was triggered by observed vulnerabilities in</p><p>ecological systems which affected the social systems. It resulted in an intense debate (a</p><p>window of opportunity), which in turn opened a policy window.</p><p>The driving forces in policy process are central actors and shadow networks with access to</p><p>knowledge. The results show that knowledge and understanding of ecological systems is</p><p>essential for policy changes in climate adaptations. Research is needed, but research by itself</p><p>will not be sufficient, research and knowledge must be transferred to decision-makers.</p><p>Knowledge transferring is even important for officials and public. That means that an</p><p>understanding of ecological systems is necessary for forming attitudes and for planning a</p><p>society with the ability to meet climate change and the insecurities which are connected with</p><p>it.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA/oai:DiVA.org:su-7830 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Åkesdotter, Marie |
| Publisher | Stockholm University, Stockholm Resilience Centre |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, text |
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