Science‐policy linkages in climate change adaptation in Europe
International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management
ISSN: 1756-8692
Article publication date: 3 August 2010
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to emphasise the importance of resolving the disconnect between issues of quality, timing and uncertainty in climate projections and the need for swift, informed and appropriate climate change adaptation decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper utilises results from a multi‐level study of adaptation policy conducted in early 2009 to assess the different approaches to climate change, the production of climate information, and its application at national and select sub‐national levels in Italy and Finland. Data were collected via a preliminary review of relevant documents as well as 23 interviews in Italy and 21 interviews in Finland conducted with climate change and environmental policy actors at each scale of administration.
Findings
The paper shows while the different extent and processes of climate research and their linkages to policy can be seen as determinants of the development of adaptation measures, the multi‐scalar adaptation decision‐making processes and the ways in which climate change and climate information are framed and used render climate research and its application a complex process.
Originality/value
The paper contributes further understanding of the linkages between science and policy with regards to adaptation, and the nature of science‐policy linkages in local decision‐making processes in particular. The findings are of importance to climate scientists and policy‐makers alike.
Keywords
Citation
Westerhoff, L. and Juhola, S. (2010), "Science‐policy linkages in climate change adaptation in Europe", International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 2 No. 3, pp. 222-241. https://doi.org/10.1108/17568691011063024
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited