Project
Barriers in the governance of climate adaptation (Robbert Biesbroek)
Whereas most research has focused on the biophysical limits on adaptation, this research assumes that many barriers emerge from within society. In contrast to limits, barriers are mutable and can with sufficient efforts, resources, and willingness be overcome. Any governance process on adaptation will be characterised by barriers and interventions.
Because little is known about nature of these barriers the objective of this study is therefore to gain insight into the barriers that actors in the governance of climate change adaptation can encounter (or are expected to encounter) in developing and implementing climate change adaptation strategies, how these barriers influence the course and outcome of governance processes, and the patterns/mechanisms underlying these barriers. I use both qualitative (case study) and quantitative (survey) research methods and compare barriers to adaptation in the Netherlands and United Kingdom. I also propose a framework to analyse the barriers in governance of adaptation and propose possible intervention strategies to deal with the barriers.