ABSTRACT

Local governments in cities around the world will not be able to cope with climate change impacts until they enhance their capacity to adapt. Past efforts to build local capacity, however, have often been unsuccessful. Building municipal capacity to formulate and implement climate adaptation plans will, in our view, require a new approach. Special attention will need to be paid to (1) contingent financial arrangements; (2) widespread and continuous stakeholder engagement; and (3) a commitment to experimental problem-solving. Most important, to respond to the scientific and technical uncertainties surrounding climate risks, local governments will have to enhance their ‘adaptive governance’ capabilities.

Key policy insights

• Building local capacity to adapt to climate change is likely to require moving beyond traditional forms of financial and technical assistance so that the uncertainties and complexities of climate change can be addressed.

• We suggest a new three-pronged approach to municipal capacity building.

• The first element of this new approach will require structuring financial investments in a more adaptable (i.e. contingent) fashion.

• The second will involve widespread and continuous stakeholder engagement, both for coalition building and for public learning.

• The third encourages an experimental approach to problem-solving so that communities can learn-by-doing.

摘要

全球城市的地方政府在增强适应能力之前将无法应对气候变化的影响。但是，过去为建设本地能力所做的努力通常是失败的。我们认为，建设市政能力以制定和实施气候适应计划将需要一种新方法。需要特别注意（1）或有财务安排；（2）利益相关者广泛而持续的参与；（3）致力于解决实验问题。最重要的是，为了应对围绕气候风险的科学和技术不确定性，地方政府将必须增强其“适应性治理”的能力。

重要政策见解

• 建设地方适应气候变化的能力可能需要超越传统形式的财政和技术援助，以便能够解决气候变化的不确定性和复杂性。

• 我们建议对市政能力建设采取三管齐下的新方法。

• 这种新方法的第一个要素将要求以更具适应性（即或有）的方式构造金融投资。

• 第二个将包括利益相关者的广泛和持续参与，包括联盟建设和公众学习。

• 第三个鼓励采用实验性方法来解决问题，以便社区可以边做边学。