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Robust decision-making in the Mekong: strengthening inclusive climate change adaptation and natural resource management

This policy brief explores inclusive natural resource management decision-making in the Greater Mekong Subregion in relationship to climate adaptation. The authors assessed the potential for the Robust Decision Making (RDM) methodology to facilitate inclusivity and to promote better outcomes in these arenas.

Citation

Pottinger-Glass, C., Zenobi, S., Piman, T., Saluja, R., Menon, U., & Krittasudthacheewa, C. (2022). Robust Decision-Making in the Mekong: Strengthening Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation and Natural Resources Management. Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Photo: Ren Pisal / Unsplash

The authors report the findings and key recommendations of a study undertaken between November 2021 and May 2022.

Key findings:

  • Trust is lacking, particularly in national governments, around natural resource management decision-making in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
  • The Robust Decision Making (RDM) methodology has strong potential to increase trust and participation in decision-making from diverse stakeholders.
  • Less technically intensive interpretations of the methodology, referred to as “RDM lite”, may suit local needs better while preserving RDM’s core principles of robustness, participation and adaptive decision-making.
  • Several additional measures could also strengthen local communities’ and civil society’s engagement with decision-making processes: capacity building, strengthening informal networks, building common understanding, reflecting on how participation can be “meaningful”, and harnessing digital technology while ensuring security and equitable access.

SEI authors

Chloe Pottinger-Glass
Chloe Pottinger-Glass

Research Associate

SEI Asia

Thanapon Piman
Thanapon Piman

Senior Research Fellow

SEI Asia

Ridhi Saluja
Ridhi Saluja

Research Fellow

SEI Asia

Profile picture of Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa
Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa

Deputy Director, SEI Asia

SEI Asia

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