There are many normative answers on the question how to realize climate adaptation, ranging from pleas for the government to play a decisive role, to calls for refraining from action and relying upon spontaneous adaptation of both government and non-governmental actors. In this article, we present a Q methodological study, aimed at investigating the governance preferences among non-governmental actors in the Netherlands and the “narratives” they use to motivate these preferences. Our empirical results underline the fact that the question “how to organize adaptation”, is a controversial one. The results resemble the various positions in the current academic debate about the governance of adaptation, and add important insights and nuances to it. Many respondents feel that the current climate adaptation policy is too non-committal. The dominant viewpoint underscores a need for more rules and norms and the possibility to sanction organizations that do not adapt. Minority viewpoints show an urge to stimulate and support self-organization of partners, as well as a need for more action. However, financial and regulatory preconditions are needed to stimulate actors in order to see to the necessary investments. Policy-makers have to invest in mixing their policy instruments. Clearly, most nongovernmental actors are in favor of the government setting a framework with rules and norms for climate adaption. However, the viewpoints show that this is not sufficient. The government should facilitate networks, joint efforts and create the financial and regulatory preconditions to remove current barriers blocking adaptation measures.

中文翻译：

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气候适应治理，哪种模式？利益相关者关于如何组织适应的观点的探索

关于如何实现气候适应的问题，有很多规范性的答案，从呼吁政府发挥决定性作用，到呼吁克制，依靠政府和非政府行为者的自发适应。在本文中，我们提出了一项 Q 方法研究，旨在调查荷兰非政府行为者的治理偏好以及他们用来激发这些偏好的“叙事”。我们的实证结果强调了这样一个事实，即“如何组织适应”这个问题是一个有争议的问题。结果类似于当前关于适应治理的学术辩论中的各种立场，并为其添加了重要的见解和细微差别。许多受访者认为目前的气候适应政策过于不明确。主流观点强调需要更多规则和规范，以及制裁不适应的组织的可能性。少数人的观点显示出刺激和支持合作伙伴自组织的冲动，以及采取更多行动的需要。然而，需要金融和监管先决条件来刺激参与者，以确保必要的投资。政策制定者必须投资混合他们的政策工具。显然，大多数非政府行为者都赞成政府制定一个包含气候适应规则和规范的框架。然而，观点表明这还不够。政府应促进网络、共同努力并创造金融和监管先决条件，以消除当前阻碍适应措施的障碍。