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Opportunities and challenges for mainstreaming ecosystem-based adaptation in local government: evidence from the Western Cape, South Africa

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  • Lorena Pasquini
  • Richard Cowling

Abstract

Ecosystem-based adaptation can reduce social vulnerability to climate hazards and can be more sustainable in the long term than hard technical solutions to adaptation. Thus, it can provide a strong argument for the conservation of natural ecosystems. As the entities most directly responsible for local-level planning and management, municipalities represent a potentially key site for implementing ecosystem-based climate adaptation. This paper presents the results of a study that investigated the extent of eight local municipalities’ knowledge and mainstreaming of ecosystem-based adaptation issues in the Western Cape, South Africa. Most municipalities had little understanding of ecosystem-based adaptation issues and limited implementation of relevant actions. Our findings suggest that ecosystem-based adaptation mainstreaming in local governments will be assisted by increasing learning and networking opportunities for municipalities and by increasing the “profile” of the concept of ecosystem-based adaptation, as well as by conducting research on barriers and enablers to collaborative governance. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Lorena Pasquini & Richard Cowling, 2015. "Opportunities and challenges for mainstreaming ecosystem-based adaptation in local government: evidence from the Western Cape, South Africa," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 17(5), pages 1121-1140, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:17:y:2015:i:5:p:1121-1140
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-014-9594-x
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    3. Wan-Jiun Chen & Jihn-Fa Jan & Chih-Hsin Chung & Shyue-Cherng Liaw, 2023. "Do Eco-Based Adaptation Measures Enhance Ecosystem Adaptation Services? Economic Evidence from a Study of Hillside Forests in a Fragile Watershed in Northeastern Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-17, June.
    4. Claudia Múnera-Roldán & Matthew J. Colloff & Jamie Pittock & Lorrae Kerkhoff, 2024. "Aligning adaptation and sustainability agendas: lessons from protected areas," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 29(7), pages 1-24, October.
    5. Claudia Múnera-Roldán & Dirk J. Roux & Matthew J. Colloff & Lorrae van Kerkhoff, 2020. "Beyond Calendars and Maps: Rethinking Time and Space for Effective Knowledge Governance in Protected Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-21, August.
    6. Amanda R. Bourne & John Bruce & Meredith M. Guthrie & Li-Ann Koh & Kaylene Parker & Stanley Mastrantonis & Igor Veljanoski, 2023. "Identifying areas of high drought risk in southwest Western Australia," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 118(2), pages 1361-1385, September.
    7. Ephias Mugari & Nthaduleni Samuel Nethengwe, 2022. "Mainstreaming Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction: Towards a Sustainable and Just Transition in Local Development Planning in Rural South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-15, September.
    8. Gina Ziervogel & Lorena Pasquini & Sarah Haiden, 2017. "Nodes and networks in the governance of ecosystem-based adaptation: the case of the Bergrivier municipality, South Africa," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 144(2), pages 271-285, September.
    9. Beatriz Kauark-Fontes & César E. Ortiz-Guerrero & Livia Marchetti & Jaime Hernández-Garcia & Fabio Salbitano, 2023. "Towards Adaptive Governance of Urban Nature-Based Solutions in Europe and Latin America—A Qualitative Exploratory Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-23, March.
    10. Kennedy Muthee & Lalisa Duguma & Judith Nzyoka & Peter Minang, 2021. "Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Practices as a Nature-Based Solution to Promote Water-Energy-Food Nexus Balance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, January.

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