Climate adaptation: Why local governments cannot do it alone
This policy paper provides an overview and a discussion of the roles and responsibilities for climate adaptation across levels of government. It argues that co-operation across levels of government is needed to strengthen adaptation at the local level. Given the direct impacts of climate change are felt first and foremost at the local level, many have called for climate adaptation to be a local responsibility. Indeed, local authorities have a major influence on climate change adaptation - such as through their land use and permitting decisions. Yet, their actions are strongly determined by the national fiscal, regulatory and policy contexts in which they are embedded in.
This policy paper provides the following recommendations:
- Local governments are uniquely positioned to lead on climate adaptation actions because of their direct experience with the impacts of climate variability and climate extreme events and their understanding of the needs for locally tailored solutions;
- Local authorities face important constraints, because addressing adaptation needs requires more technical, financial and legal capacity than often is (or should be) at their disposal;
- Applying a local lens to adaptation allows the local specificities of adaptation risks and needs to be integrated into national adaptation policy, recognising the key role of national governments in facilitating local action.
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