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New Policy Approaches for Increasing Response to Climate Change in Small Rural Municipalities

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  • Thomas Bausch

    (Competence Center Tourism and Mobility, Libera Università di Bolzano, 39031 Brunico, Italy)

  • Karin Koziol

    (Department of Tourism, Munich University of Applied Sciences, 80636 Munich, Germany)

Abstract

Although nearly half of the world population lives in rural small municipalities, research on climate change policy at this level is widely neglected. Frequently climate change adaptation is not a policy field in these small municipalities, which is both a problem and a risk. This paper aims at analyzing the climate policy of small and medium-sized local authorities with specific focus on adaptation. It presents results from a comprehensive survey among approximately 400 small municipalities in Bavaria, Germany. The study analyzes the perception of climate change risks and the perceived need for response, the fields of action, the triggering and influencing factors in the political process, and the people and bodies involved. Our findings reveal that in most cases small municipalities do not follow a strategic and holistic approach for climate change adaptation. Especially among small and very small municipalities, the study shows a gap between discussing climate change and setting up mitigation or adaptation measures. In conclusion, we present three policy implications for increasing the adaptive capacity of small municipalities. These address the increase of awareness of adaptation needs, effective management structures and the mandatory integration of a climate strategy into the long-term local political agenda.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Bausch & Karin Koziol, 2020. "New Policy Approaches for Increasing Response to Climate Change in Small Rural Municipalities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:5:p:1894-:d:327359
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    Cited by:

    1. David Simon & Yutika Vora & Tarun Sharma & Warren Smit, 2021. "Responding to Climate Change in Small and Intermediate Cities: Comparative Policy Perspectives from India and South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Agnieszka Jaszczak & Katarina Kristianova & Ewelina Pochodyła & Jan K. Kazak & Krzysztof Młynarczyk, 2021. "Revitalization of Public Spaces in Cittaslow Towns: Recent Urban Redevelopment in Central Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-24, February.
    3. Kai Schulze & Jonas J. Schoenefeld, 2023. "Measuring climate change adaptation policy output: Toward a two‐dimensional approach," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 40(6), pages 1058-1092, November.
    4. Shorna B. Allred & Allison M. Chatrchyan & Giorgi Tsintsadze, 2022. "Local municipal capacity for climate change action in New York State: Exploring the urban–rural divide," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 39(5), pages 570-601, September.
    5. Ulrike Zeigermann & Marlene Kammerer & Michael Böcher, 2023. "What drives local communities to engage in climate change mitigation activities? Examining the rural–urban divide," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 40(6), pages 894-919, November.
    6. Melanie Nagel & Marlene Kammerer, 2023. "Tackling climate change on the local level: A growing research agenda," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 40(6), pages 846-852, November.
    7. Rosalba D’Onofrio & Chiara Camaioni & Stefano Mugnoz, 2023. "Local Climate Adaptation and Governance: The Utility of Joint SECAP Plans for Networks of Small–Medium Italian Municipalities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-20, May.
    8. Antje Otto & Christian Göpfert & Annegret H. Thieken, 2021. "Are cities prepared for climate change? An analysis of adaptation readiness in 104 German cities," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 26(8), pages 1-25, December.
    9. Daniel Buschmann & Karin Koziol & Thomas Bausch & Steurer Reinhard, 2022. "Adaptation to climate change in small German municipalities: Sparse knowledge and weak adaptive capacities," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 46(4), pages 377-392, November.

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