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Social and institutional dimensions of climate change adaptation

Linda M. Peñalba (College of Public Affairs and Development, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines)
Dulce D. Elazegui (College of Public Affairs and Development, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines)
Juan M. Pulhin (College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines)
Rex Victor O. Cruz (College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines)

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management

ISSN: 1756-8692

Article publication date: 27 July 2012

1287

Abstract

Purpose

The Philippines is among the countries vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. However, many local government units (LGUs) and the people themselves are not aware of the climate change phenomenon and do not have the capacity to undertake appropriate climate change adaptation measures. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the climate change adaptation strategies of communities and LGUs and the barriers and recommendations to enhance their adaptive capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study covered five communities vulnerable to climate change impacts. Information on extreme climatic events and their impacts and adaptation strategies undertaken were gathered through focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews. LGU staff members were assisted in the preparation of their climate change adaptation plan (CCAP).

Findings

The LGUs and communities have low adaptive capacity and employed temporary adaptation strategies. Strong social cohesion and spontaneous collective action are factors that could enhance the communities' adaptive capacity. The pursuit of awareness raising and capacity building activities on climate change phenomena, alternative livelihood, preparedness and adaptation possibilities, technology and infrastructure development and collective action, which are critical adaptive capacity enhancement factors were laid‐out in the CCAP.

Originality/value

The paper presents the barriers that constrain the adaptive capacity of communities and LGUs, the recommended adaptive capacity enhancement measures to overcome these barriers and the highlights of the CCAP jointly prepared by the partner LGUs and scientists.

Keywords

Citation

Peñalba, L.M., Elazegui, D.D., Pulhin, J.M. and Victor O. Cruz, R. (2012), "Social and institutional dimensions of climate change adaptation", International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 308-322. https://doi.org/10.1108/17568691211248748

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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