Introduction - Climate Change Adaptation and Development: Transforming Paradigms and Practices - page 15

Chapter 15 , we draw out some key conclusions, focusing on what a rethinking
of adaptation and development can actually mean, and the implications for
practical actions. We describe the three spheres of transformation as a way
of identifying how adaptation can contribute to climate resilient pathways,
arguing that adaptation so far has focused primarily on the practical sphere,
while ignoring the political and personal sphere of change. Operationalizing
adaptation approaches requires a diverse set of tools and changes in the mode of
operation. The insights derived from the case studies presented here contribute
to six recommendations for approaching adaptation through multiple entry
points. These draw attention to the significance of the political and personal
spheres as a means for making changes in the practical sphere more effective.
Conclusions
This topic shows how climate change poses challenges to institutions,
infrastructure, economic sectors, livelihoods and lives, but also to beliefs,
cultures and identities - not just at the local level where impacts are often most
evident, but at regional, national and international levels where the policies and
politics of development and aid are discussed and debated. Adaption to climate
change is thus not a matter of a single decision, a measure or a quick-fix to deal
with specific impacts, but a process driven by actions and decisions at all levels,
nested within social and political structures. Supporting adaptation will require
addressing these social and political structures specifically, in order to reduce
vulnerability and create more equitable and sustainable development pathways.
Even though many actions take place at the local level among vulnerable
communities, adaptation is a key concern for development in the sense of
challenging global development processes.
Adaptation as framed by current development paradigms is not enough.
Climate change adaptation must drive fundamental changes in how we approach
'development'. Climate change also gives rise to a critical question: Is it possible
to truly adapt to changes within the same development paradigms that have
generated vulnerability in the first place? The IPCC notes that in order to move
towards sustainability 'a fundamental rethinking of poverty and development
will need to emphasize equity among poor and non-poor people to collectively
address greenhouse gas emissions and vulnerabilities while striving toward a
joint, just, and desirable future' (Olsson et al. 2014: 24). Realizing this future is
the real challenge of adaptation and development.
note
1 Aid budgets fell in real terms after the financial crisis of 2008 (OECD 2013), and
what was promised as additional funding for climate change instead was often
included under traditional ODA. At the same time, there has been a shift in ODA
funding away from the poorest countries and towards middle-income countries
(OECD 2013). Since 2008, DAC commitments to social infrastructure and services