The aim of CADWAGO was to address the global challenge of water security through enabling appropriate responses to the impacts of climate change on water resources. In so doing, it promoted systemic and adaptive transformations in water governance by developing knowledge to support conceptual, institutional and practice based innovations. It is by way of these transformations in governance that CADWAGO intended to support the forms of multi-level and multi-stakeholder collective action that will improve climate change adaptation responses, from a water security perspective. Through this approach, it was envisaged that both the livelihoods of communities and the ecosystem services that are dependent on water will be enhanced.
2012–2016
Australia’s coastal zone is diverse but how to improve coastal governance through enhanced decision-making frameworks? This was one of the project’s case studies. Photo credit: CADWAGO.
The three year project (2013-2016) was led by Neil Powell (SEI) and managed by Annemarieke de Bruin (SEI) and brought together 10 partners from Europe, Australasia and North America with extensive experience in climate change adaptation and water governance issues. CADWAGO built on lessons from ongoing case research to create a forum and dialogue between researchers and stakeholders at different scales. The work was structured along four research lenses:
The project produced an extensive list of publications detailing the results of the work as well as a number of project reports, blogposts, and posters.
The following articles were produced by project members. Links are to external websites hosting the publications.
A number of blog posts were provided on the CADWAGO website. This are compiled into one downloadable blogposts PDF file.
Posters were produced for the final project event. These are available to download:
CADWAGO was funded as part of the “Europe and Global Challenges programme” by Compagnia di San Paolo, VolkswagenStiftung and Riksbankens Jubileumsfond.
SEI report / This report examines evidence of the outcomes of locally led adaptation, barriers that limit financial support, and measures that can bridge the funding gap.
30 September 2026 / About Adaptation
Journal article / This essay argues that climate adaptation approaches should drive needed social change and challenge austerity approaches, which have undermined resilience.
28 September 2026 / About Adaptation and Public policy
Media advisory / SEI invites journalists to a media briefing where its experts will share their perspectives on key topics ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17).
29 September 2026 / About Adaptation, Bioeconomy, Ecosystems, Supply chains and Sustainable Development Goals