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Quality of national adaptation plans and opportunities for improvement

Author

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  • Sierra C. Woodruff

    (Texas A&M University)

  • Patrick Regan

    (University of Notre Dame)

Abstract

National adaptation plans (NAPs) are intended to provide an evidence-based, coordinated, and systematic approach to climate preparedness initiatives. In order to identify how NAPs could be improved, this paper analyzes 38 national adaptation plans using plan quality evaluation methods and explores national characteristics that are associated with high-quality plans. We find that NAPs typically include multiple data sources, explore current impacts and future vulnerabilities, establish goals, and identify potential adaptation strategies. Plans are weaker in the articulation of implementation and monitoring measures, raising concerns about whether plans will translate into action and how success will be measured. In addition, plans generally do not include a broad range of stakeholders in the planning process. The institutional authorship is a strong predictor of plan quality. Plans written by multi-agency committees are significantly higher quality than those written by single agencies, especially on engagement of stakeholders. Based on these results, we recommend that countries form multi-agency teams to lead the adaptation planning process and intentionally address components that are commonly overlooked including implementation guidance and evaluation metrics.

Suggested Citation

  • Sierra C. Woodruff & Patrick Regan, 2019. "Quality of national adaptation plans and opportunities for improvement," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 53-71, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:masfgc:v:24:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s11027-018-9794-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11027-018-9794-z
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    2. B. N. Porfiriev & N. E. Terent’ev & Yu. V. Zinchenko, 2023. "Planning for Adaptation to Climate Change: World Experience and Opportunities for Sustainable Social and Economic Development in Russia," Studies on Russian Economic Development, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 263-273, April.
    3. Stephan Hügel & Anna R. Davies, 2020. "Public participation, engagement, and climate change adaptation: A review of the research literature," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(4), July.
    4. Stacy-ann Robinson & Conall Butchart, 2022. "Planning for Climate Change in Small Island Developing States: Can Dominica’s Climate Resilience and Recovery Plan Be a Model for Transformation in the Caribbean?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-23, April.
    5. Aparna Kumari & Tim G. Frazier, 2021. "Evaluating social capital in emergency and disaster management and hazards plans," 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. 109(1), pages 949-973, October.
    6. Qingchun Li & Bryce Hannibal & Ali Mostafavi & Philip Berke & Sierra Woodruff & Arnold Vedlitz, 2020. "Examining of the actor collaboration networks around hazard mitigation: a hurricane harvey study," 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. 103(3), pages 3541-3562, September.
    7. Arame Tall & Sarah Lynagh & Candela Blanco Vecchi & Pepukaye Bardouille & Felipe Montoya Pino & Elham Shabahat & Vladimir Stenek & Fiona Stewart & Samantha Power & Cindy Paladines & Philippe Neves & L, 2021. "Enabling Private Investment in Climate Adaptation and Resilience," World Bank Publications - Reports 35203, The World Bank Group.

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