By their nature, the problems created by climate change cut into the core of economic activities in fields such as transport, energy, public health, agriculture and forestry. In addition, policies linked to both reducing greenhouse gases and adapting to the impacts of climate change are closely linked to broader development issues.
The risks posed both by extreme weather events and systemic changes to our reliance on fossil fuels are significant. For developing countries, the story is further complicated by a lack of financial, social and institutional resources needed to face the threat of climate change. Although the challenges faced by the South in coming to terms with the impacts of climate change are slowly being acknowledged in international policy circles, policies to address these challenges effectively have yet to be designed and implemented.
This query focuses on adaptation to climate change (minimising the consequences of climate change). Work examining how climate change adaptation knowledge is transferred, the links between mitigation and adaptation and on how institutional and organisational structures contribute to adaptive capacity is beginning to emerge. However, considerable gaps still exist; particularly with research exploring good governance and the design of institutional architecture for adaptation at national, regional and local levels and with studies about how vulnerable communities can be linked more closely into national and international climate policy-making.
