At the end of July, Meghan Alexander and Tim Rayner appeared on the high-profile Tyndall Talks podcast to discuss the Adapt Lock-in project’s perspective on the increasingly evident ‘adaptation gap’.
The conversation covered the nature of lock-in dynamics, recent experience of overheating buildings and water scarcity in England, as well as the launch of a revised National Adaptation Programme in the summer of 2023. Readers can find it here:
Adapt Lock-in project researcher Lisanne Groen was interviewed in May as part of a new podcast series focusing on aspects of the EU’s European Green Deal, being produced by the GreenDeal-NET network. In the podcast, entitled Adapt or bust? Managing the impacts of climate change, she discussed findings from the Adapt Lock-in project. You can find the recording here.
https://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ADAPT-LOCKIN-logo-Simple-colour-300x213.png00Tim Raynerhttps://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ADAPT-LOCKIN-logo-Simple-colour-300x213.pngTim Rayner2023-05-19 10:03:412023-09-19 11:16:16Lisanne Groen interviewed for GreenDeal-NET
By Lisanne Groen, Meghan Alexander, Julie P. King, Nicolas W. Jager & Dave Huitema
ABSTRACT
Responding to current and future climate change demands urgent, transformative adaptation, yet in many policy systems inaction continues to prevail. This paper examines apparent resistance to policy change and the persistence of business-as-usual through a ‘lock-in perspective’, which means that attention is paid to how reinforcing mechanisms drive stabilisation and resistance in policy systems. Offering a fresh synthesis of known lock-in mechanisms in the literature, this paper explores the role of those mechanisms in two empirical cases of coastal adaptation: England (U.K.) and Schleswig-Holstein (Germany). While several known lock-mechanisms are observable, some are newly identified in this adaptation context. We offer a critical reflection on the added value of the lock-in perspective for understanding policy stability. In turn, the identification of self- and mutually reinforcing mechanisms provides a much-needed foundation for targeted policy interventions and efforts to ‘unlock’ climate adaptation pathways.
To cite this article: Lisanne Groen, Meghan Alexander, Julie P. King, Nicolas W. Jager & Dave Huitema (2022): Re-examining policy stability in climate adaptation through a lock-in perspective, Journal of European Public Policy, DOI: 10.1080/13501763.2022.2064535
https://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Coast_cropped.jpg4951012Tim Raynerhttps://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ADAPT-LOCKIN-logo-Simple-colour-300x213.pngTim Rayner2022-09-15 10:49:592022-10-11 16:28:57Re-examining policy stability in climate adaptation through a lock-in perspective
https://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/image-from-rawpixel-id-412392-jpeg-e1597934541112.jpg6001034Meghan Alexanderhttps://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ADAPT-LOCKIN-logo-Simple-colour-300x213.pngMeghan Alexander2022-08-31 15:26:582022-10-11 16:28:02An introduction to lock-ins & how these contribute to climate adaptation gaps
On March 17th, Adapt Lock-in researcher Dr. Lisanne Groen (Open University of the Netherlands) acted as discussant at a webinar organised by the American University in Washington D.C. on ‘Loss and Damage as the Third Pillar of Climate Action’.
At the webinar, IPCC author Dr. Adelle Thomas from the University of the Bahamas & Climate Analytics shared with the online audience how loss and damage as a result of climate change has developed as a topic in the international climate change negotiations. This issue is being pushed by the Alliance Of Small Island States (AOSIS) in particular as well as developing countries as they struggle to put in place national-level policies on the topic.
Dr. Lisanne Groen brought in an academic perspective in her response to Dr. Thomas’ presentation, highlighting some lessons learnt from the Adapt Lock-in project on the Dutch approach to climate change adaptation, which focuses on infrastructure-based defence in response to sea level rise.
Kelly Crawford from the Washington D.C. Department of Energy & Environment added a policymaking perspective, highlighting some climate change policy initiatives she is currently working on.
This was the third event from the webinar series “Ideas, Interests, Institutions, and Nation-state Climate Politics: Mitigators, Adapters, and Mitigator-Adapters.” This webinar charts the development of loss and damage policy within the UNFCCC and shows how slow progress at the international scale has resulted in limited – but critically needed – national policies focused on loss and damage, particularly in the Global South. Led by Adelle Thomas, Climate Analytics/University of The Bahamas. Discussants: Kelly Crawford, Assistant Director, Washington DC Department of Energy & Environment and Lisanne Groen, Open Universiteit, Department of Environmental Sciences and Institute for European Studies, Brussels School of Governance, Vrije Universiteit, Brussels.
https://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/image-from-rawpixel-id-903876-jpeg-scaled-e1597934591784.jpg6001194Meghan Alexanderhttps://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ADAPT-LOCKIN-logo-Simple-colour-300x213.pngMeghan Alexander2022-04-12 12:17:242022-10-10 17:35:27Loss and Damage as a Third Pillar of Climate Action
https://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CCA_2.jpg11252000Meghan Alexanderhttps://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ADAPT-LOCKIN-logo-Simple-colour-300x213.pngMeghan Alexander2022-04-12 12:00:222022-10-10 17:02:04Closing the Climate Adaptation Gap and Unlocking Transformative Change
Welcome address: Uncovering the hidden story of the adaptation gap – From barriers to lock-in and beyond Prof Bernd Siebenhüner, University of Oldenburg, Germany (Principal investigator for the Adapt Lock-in Project)
10.15am
Keynote address: Governing the adaptation of long-lived assets: State or phat dependence? Prof Klaus Eisenack (Humboldt University Berlin)
10.45am
SESSION 1: Examining the adaptation gap through the lens of lock-ins (Chair: Dr Nicolas Jager, University of Oldenburg, Germany) This session will delve into the theoretical and conceptual understanding of ‘lock-ins’. Key questions will be addressed around what constitutes a lock-in dynamic, how lock-ins are created and sustained over time, and the added value of the lock-in concept for understanding the growing adaptation gap that we see. Our speakers will reflect on how lock-ins are conceptualised and understood from different disciplinary perspectives and sectors.
12pm
LUNCH
1.30pm
Keynote address: Unpacking causality to close adaptation gaps Dr Robbert Biesbroek (Wageningen University, Netherlands)
2pm
SESSION 2: Adapting our coastlines – barriers, lock-in dynamics and opportunities for transformative change (Chair: Dr Meghan Alexander, University of East Anglia UK) At the front line of sea level rise, coastal adaptation is vital. Yet, coastal management is notably complex, as various policy sectors, with different institutional arrangements, agendas, and sometimes competing interests, converge in the liminal zone. This presents both challenges and opportunities for adaptation. This session takes a cross-sectoral perspective and highlights the systemic barriers and lock-in dynamics that continue to hinder adaptation efforts, alongside innovative examples where these are being overcome.
3pm
BREAK
3.15pm
SESSION 3: Confronting the ‘jaws of death’ in water resource management (Chair: Dr Tim Rayner, University of East Anglia, UK)
As demands for water continue to rise, while supply falls as increasing climate impacts take hold, some policy makers have likened the looming threat of water scarcity to the “jaws of death”. Householders, energy producers, industry, agriculture and wildlife all stand to be affected. In many cases, however, they also have the potential to contribute to responses that bring a range of benefits. Focusing on developments in water resource management, this session examines the ways in which adaptation may be facilitated and/or constrained in different governance settings.
4.15pm
Closing remarks from Prof Bernd Siebenhüner (University of Oldenburg, Germany)
Friday 25 March 2022
All times are in Central European Time (CET)
10am
Welcome address: Closing the Climate Adaptation Gap Prof Dave Huitema, Open University of the Netherlands
10.15am
Keynote address – Transformational Climate Adaptation Dr Tom Mitchell, Chief Strategy Officer of EIT Climate-KIC
10.45am
SESSION 4: Human health under extremes (Chair: Dr Lisanne Groen, Open University of the Netherlands) Climate change is creating and exacerbating physical and mental health problems in both direct and indirect ways, as it places increasing burdens on health and social care services, amongst other related policy areas through which health effects are mitigated. While health is slowly rising up the political agenda, considerable hurdles remain. This session explores the constraints and opportunities for embedding health aspects into adaptation action across different sectors.
12pm
LUNCH
2pm
SESSION 5: Addressing the nature crisis – Adapting for nature and adapting with nature (Chair: Dr Jean Hugé, Open University of the Netherlands) Climate change, amongst a host of other land use pressures, is driving worrying declines in biodiversity and habitat loss. Adaptive action is not only essential for preserving nature, but nature-based solutions are also a fundamental strategy for adapting to the increasing threats posed by climate change. Working for and with nature will be essential. Focusing on both sides of this equation, this session aims to stimulate cross-sectoral and cross-country learning on the maladaptive practices and lock-ins contributing to the nature crisis, as well as opportunities and success stories for reversing biodiversity decline through coordinated action.
3.15pm
BREAK
3.30pm
SESSION 6: Closing the adaptation gap – Next steps and unlocking opportunities (Chair: Dr John Turnpenny, University of East Anglia, UK) To close the conference, this final session will bring together the key lessons across the previous sessions and observe the similarities and differences across policy areas, sectors and countries. Looking forward, the session will reflect on opportunities for closing the adaptation gap in the wake of UNFCCC COP26 and the Covid-19 pandemic. As a collective, we will identify (and vote!) on priority recommendations for ‘unlocking’ maladaptive lock-in dynamics and accelerating adaptation action.
https://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/sunshine-and-clouds-heatwave-weather.jpg9601920Meghan Alexanderhttps://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ADAPT-LOCKIN-logo-Simple-colour-300x213.pngMeghan Alexander2022-02-18 07:34:282022-10-11 16:24:40Closing the Climate Adaptation Gap and Unlocking Transformative Change
Aim & goals – To effectively adapt and keep pace with the rising impacts of climate change we cannot maintain business-as-usual. However, a range of barriers, path dependencies and self-reinforcing ‘lock-in’ dynamics are impeding efforts to adapt and are proving difficult to change. While ‘carbon lock-ins’ have increasingly been studied in climate mitigation, this conference turns the spotlight towards the lock-ins restricting climate adaptation and seeks to understand how these play out across different policy sectors and countries. Only by understanding these can we identify strategies for ‘unlocking’ opportunities for transformative change. The conference will bridge the gap between research and practice as we collectively try to accelerate adaptation to climate change. This will be a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, experiences and best practices across countries and policy sectors, such as flood & coastal erosion risk management, biodiversity, forestry, water and health. Our speakers have been invited based on their established expertise in these areas.
Themes
THEME 1: Examining the adaptation gap through the lens of lock-ins
This session will delve into the theoretical and conceptual understanding of ‘lock-ins’. Key questions will be addressed around what constitutes a lock-in dynamic, how lock-ins are created and sustained over time, and the added value of the lock-in concept for understanding the growing adaptation gap that we see. Our speakers will reflect on how lock-ins are conceptualised and understood from different disciplinary perspectives and sectors.
THEME 2:Adapting our coastlines – barriers, lock-in dynamics and opportunities for transformative change
At the front line of sea level rise, coastal adaptation is vital. Yet, coastal management is notably complex, as various policy sectors, with different institutional arrangements, agendas, and sometimes competing interests, converge. This presents both challenges and opportunities for adaptation. This session takes a cross-sectoral perspective and highlights the systemic barriers and lock-in dynamics that continue to hinder adaptation efforts, alongside innovative examples where these are being overcome.
THEME 3: Confronting the ‘jaws of death’ in water resource management
As demands for water continue to rise, while supply falls as increasing climate impacts take hold, some policy makers have likened the looming threat of water scarcity to the “jaws of death”. Householders, energy producers, industry, agriculture and wildlife all stand to be affected. In many cases, however, they also have the potential to contribute to responses that bring a range of benefits. Focusing on developments in water resource management, this session examines the ways in which adaptation may be facilitated and/or constrained in different governance settings.
THEME 4: Human health under extremes
Climate change is creating and exacerbating physical and mental health problems in both direct and indirect ways, as it places increasing burdens on health and social care services, amongst other related policy areas through which health effects are mitigated. While health is slowly rising up the political agenda, considerable hurdles remain. This session explores the constraints and opportunities for embedding health aspects into adaptation action across different sectors.
THEME 5: Addressing the nature crisis – adapting for and with nature
Climate change, amongst a host of other land use pressures, is driving worrying declines in biodiversity and habitat loss. Adaptive action is not only essential for preserving nature, but nature-based solutions are also a fundamental strategy for adapting to the increasing threats posed by climate change. Working for and with nature will be essential. Focusing on both sides of this equation, this session aims to stimulate cross-sectoral and cross-country learning on the maladaptive practices and lock-ins contributing to the nature crisis, as well as opportunities and success stories for reversing biodiversity decline through coordinated action.
THEME 6: Closing the adaptation gap – Next steps
To close the conference, this final session will bring together the key lessons across the previous sessions and observe the similarities and differences across policy areas, sectors and countries. Looking forward, the session will reflect on opportunities for closing the adaptation gap in the wake of UNFCCC COP26 and the Covid-19 pandemic. As a collective, we will identify (and vote!) on priority recommendations for ‘unlocking’ maladaptive lock-in dynamics and accelerating adaptation action.
The full agenda will be published soon! The conference will take place over 2 days and you are free to come in and out of the sessions of your choice.
Attendees – The conference will bring together academics, practitioners and policymakers across countries. Diversity is at the heart of this conference as we strive to represent different policy sectors, types of expertise and experiences across countries, to facilitate knowledge exchange and accelerate adaptation action.
Logistics – The conference is free to attend and open to all. This event is being hosted by the Adapt Lock-in project (https://adaptlockin.eu/), funded by DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), the Dutch Research Council NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek) and the Economic and Social Research Council, UK.
https://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/image-from-rawpixel-id-843896.jpg8001200Meghan Alexanderhttps://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ADAPT-LOCKIN-logo-Simple-colour-300x213.pngMeghan Alexander2022-01-22 05:29:012022-10-11 16:21:38Conference registration is now open!
“Closing the climate adaptation gap: Unlocking opportunities for transformative change”
Adapt Lock-in is hosting an international (virtual) conference on 24-25 March 2022.
The conference will address the following themes:
Examining the adaptation gap through the lens of lock-ins
Adapting our coastlines – barriers, lock-in dynamics and opportunities for transformative change
Human health under extremes
Adapting to ‘too much’ or ‘too little’ water
Addressing the nature crisis – Adapting for nature and adapting with nature
Closing the adaptation gap – Next steps and unlocking opportunities
Registration opens January 2022
Aim & goals – To effectively adapt and keep pace with the rising impacts of climate change we cannot maintain business-as-usual. However, a range of barriers, path dependencies and self-reinforcing ‘lock-in’ dynamics are impeding efforts to adapt and are proving difficult to change. While ‘carbon lock-ins’ have increasingly been studied in climate mitigation, this conference turns the spotlight towards the lock-ins restricting climate adaptation and seeks to understand how these play out across different policy sectors and countries. Only by understanding these can we identify strategies for ‘unlocking’ opportunities for transformative change. The conference will bridge the gap between research and practice as we collectively try to accelerate adaptation to climate change. This will be a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, experiences and best practices across countries and policy sectors, such as flood & coastal erosion risk management, biodiversity, forestry, water and health. Our speakers have been invited based on their established expertise in these areas.
Attendees – The conference will bring together academics, practitioners and policymakers across countries. Diversity is at the heart of this conference as we strive to represent different policy sectors, types of expertise and experiences across countries, to facilitate knowledge exchange and accelerate adaptation action.
Desired outcome and impact – Through interactive discussions and critical debates we will co-produce a series of actions and recommendations for overcoming the barriers and lock-in dynamics that continue to hinder adaptation efforts, while highlighting opportunities for transformative change. These recommendations will be published in a short policy brief that will be made available to all. Collectively, we will contribute to the growing international conversation and calls for action emerging from, among others, the IPCC, the Climate Adaptation Summit, the Global Commission on Adaptation and COP26.
Logistics – The conference is free to attend and open to all. This event is being hosted by the Adapt Lock-in project (https://adaptlockin.eu/), funded by DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), the Dutch Research Council NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek) and the Economic and Social Research Council, UK.
Adapt Lock-in researcher, Dr Lisanne Groen, gave a recent interview with Missions Publiques on the intrinsic links between climate change and health.
Here are some key take home messages:
Climate change not only impacts physical health but also has significant implications for mental health. For instance, mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder may result from exposure to climate-related hazards such as floods.
Climate change exacerbates health inequalities, and it is vital that this is recognised policy responses to climate change.
However, mental health under climate change is still not on the radar in many countries. There is a need to raise the profile of mental health and ensure policies are designed accordingly.
Lisanne also talks about a range of other issues, such as the importance of including indigenous peoples’ knowledge in European climate policies and ensuring that consultation processes are inclusive and accessible to all. She also reflects on the role of the EU in international environmental negotiations.
https://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/image-from-rawpixel-id-1223823.jpg8001200Meghan Alexanderhttps://adaptlockin.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ADAPT-LOCKIN-logo-Simple-colour-300x213.pngMeghan Alexander2021-11-15 12:38:292022-10-11 16:26:32“We are not equal when it comes to heat” – Interview with Dr Lisanne Groen
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