Problem Space

The current process of climate adaptation is headed by intergovernmental organizations, international non-governmental organizations, and multinational corporations and landmark agreements have been signed, with the commonality of involving a coordinated approach from all the stakeholders. Climate adaptation faces numerous obstacles including, inadequate support for in situ adaptation, fragmentation of policy regimes and responses, inadequate consultation with affected communities, and inequity in decision making among other social issues, that often prevent successful adaptation processes.

Proposed Intervention

Scholars have called for approaches to climate adaptation that recognize historical structural inequality, as well as intersectional approaches that consider inequalities in indigenous contexts and their unique vulnerabilities to climate change and adaptation policies. They have also called for pluralistic approaches that do not assume homogeneity but that recognize the lived realities of multiple subjectivities, as well as those that consider the disruptions of the relation between space, place, and people. Procedural justice is necessary: not just providing consultations, but transforming institutional processes. We are looking to enhance 5 components of deep listening: Knowledge sharing, Holding space, Shared climate imaginaries, Sensemaking & Evaluation and monitoring.

Social Impact

This project will provide a rigorous examination and evaluation of how institutions currently collaborate with frontline communities in developing adaptation plans and create new technologies and procedures that can be adopted and adapted in contexts around the world. The DLP provides a framework for achieving collaborative adaptation and gaining better adaptation outcomes.