Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 14
Balancing Structural Conflicts Across Scales
to Develop and Mobilise Adaptive Capacity
Abstract
Building on the three stages of analysis presented in Part III, this first
chapter of Part IV discusses the challenges of developing and mobilising adaptive
capacity across the complex spatial and temporal scales that emerged as key themes
in earlier analysis. Across the spatial scale, there is a challenge in balancing guid-
ance and certainty from higher levels of governance with flexibility of autonomous
actors to respond quickly to challenges at the local scale. Furthermore, adaptation to
certain stress conditions within one scale or magnitude of change was found to not
necessarily imply long-term adaptability to conditions whose persistence and
impacts will be more pervasive.
Keywords
Rhône, Canton Valais, Switzerland • Aconcagua, Region V, Chile
• Long term adaptability • Short term reactive capacity • Tensions across governance
scales • Adaptation to climate change and variability • Balancing flexibility and
predictability
14.1
The Spatial Scale
A common thread that emerged in analysis of adaptive actions and related gover-
nance mechanisms was the underlying tension of balancing guidance and certainty
from higher levels of governance with flexibility and autonomy of users and rights
holders at lower scales. It is a challenge that is further heightened in times of stress
in the case areas, which instigate a heightened involvement of central or regional
government agencies, whether from a financial or organisational capacity. The
results presented in the previous chapters in Part III elucidate the empirical evidence
related to the sub indicators of adaptive capacity and thus allow for trade-offs to be
identified in the relationship between the requirement for clear rules and certainty to
guide the development of adaptive behaviour and rules to mobilise adaptive actions
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