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Institutional adaptive capacities to promote Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) to flooding in England

Nazmul Huq (International Centre for Climate Change Adaptation and Development, Independent University, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh)

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management

ISSN: 1756-8692

Article publication date: 21 March 2016

340

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the inherent adaptive capacities of multilevel flood management institutions in England that are necessary to espouse the concept of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on an extensive assessment of flood management literature including European and English flood management policies, strategies, regulations and reports. First, an assessment protocol was developed from systematic literature search and, second, multilevel flood management policies and organizations were evaluated. A qualitative scoring method was applied at the assessment stage.

Findings

The protocol included 18 major assessment criteria under seven EbA principles. Application of the protocol showed that English national flood policies showed comparatively greater adaptive capacities than European- and local-level policies and local organizations. Specialized flood management policies such as Catchment Flood Management Policies at the local level and European Policies such as flood directives are among the lowest-scoring policy institutions. It was also identified that there is an emerging trend of stakeholder participation, catchment-based approach and knowledge-based adaptation planning at the national level which potentially can be the entry points of wider-scale EbA implementation. This paper recommends proactive roles of local executive organizations through improving institutional communication, consideration of catchment-scale planning with clear adaptation goals and valuing local knowledge base.

Originality/value

The research is important to identify the institutional aspects of adaptive capacity that require attention for promoting alternative adaptation measures such as EbA.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Author is grateful to the project “building resilience among European Communities (emBRACE)” (European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme – Grant Agreement No 283201) for providing financial supports. The author also acknowledges logistical and supervision supports from United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) for providing permission to carry out the research.

Citation

Huq, N. (2016), "Institutional adaptive capacities to promote Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) to flooding in England", International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 212-235. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-02-2015-0013

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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