Applying a Multi-pronged Approach to Assessing Adaptive Capacity - Climate Change and Water Governance: Adaptive Capacity in Chile and Switzerland - page 71

Fig. 5.1 Analytical framework for assessing relationship between the governance context at
different scales (national, sub-national/regional and local) and adaptive capacity

Often, climate change policy and adaptation planning and assessments are made or
focused (but not exclusively) at the national levels, while the consequences of those
decisions - climate impacts themselves - are experienced (again not exclusively) at
local community levels (Brunner 2010 ; Kane and Yohe 2000 ) .
Independent variables relate to the governance context, operationalised through
governance related determinants as discussed and set out in the previous chapters.
The dependent variables relate to adaptive capacity, which has been theoretically
defined in the preceding chapters and for measurement purposes has been opera-
tionalised through different categories of adaptive action (Transformation; Persistent
Adaptation; Passive).
The social science field of climate change impact, adaptation and vulnerability is
a still relatively young scientific discipline, and the literature on governance related
indicators of adaptive capacity, specifically relating to the law, is particularly slim.
Therefore, the broad aim of this research is to contribute to the growing understand-
ing of adaptive capacity and resilience theory. Additionally, the case study and
extreme event analysis aims to provide deeper empirical insights into the adaptive
capacity of water governance in the specific contexts of the Valais in Switzerland
and Aconcagua in Chile. Findings from this study could usefully inform policy
makers and water managers on how to develop characteristics of the system, which
can contribute to resilience in the face of uncertainty and future climatic change.
The key objectives of the research are to:

• Contribute to the conceptualisation and operationalisation of adaptive capacity;

- Identify the key components of adaptive capacity that can be empirically

observed in the case areas in response to extreme events. In this context,
adaptation strategies can be seen as outputs of the water management regime
(Huntjens 2011 ) ;