Transnational adaptation governance

Adaptation to climate change is failing to reach its potential, especially in developing countries. While the UN climate negotiations continue at a slow pace, the need for adaptation action becomes increasingly evident. To increase the success of adaptation, traditional state-based adaptation governance is gradually transitioning towards transnational adaptation governance, engaging new public and private actors.

This interdisciplinary project aims to take stock and explain the emergence of transnational adaptation governance and its potential to increase the success of adaptation. Through a mixed method approach, including policy analysis, literature reviews, interviews and case studies, the project will:

• define and map transnational arrangements by systematically examining a representative sample of multisectoral governance
• explain the emergence of transnational adaptation governance and actors’ economic and political interests through three case studies
• analyse the policy implications of selected initiatives and how these initiatives might increase adaptation success (measured as effectiveness, efficiency, equity and legitimacy).

A multidisciplinary team of researchers at SEI and Stockholm University will work with leading international scholars and stakeholders to assess transnational adaptation governance and communicate the findings to national and international policymakers and stakeholders in the climate change regime.