Adaptation of societies for sustainable development
This project aims to improve our understanding of why some societies, groups or individuals adapt to risks and hazards better than others. To do this a variety of sub-projects will be undertaken.
i) How to make successful decisions about adaptation to climate change?
Through a delphi-style survey of environmental economists, the project team will identify common terms for defining success and will then identify measurable indicators for success. These indicators will then be tested against a set of pre-identified adaptations. The project team includes: Dr Emily Boyd (Oxford Martin School Fellow, Oxford), Dr Miguel Doria (UEA).
ii) The effectiveness of international environmental agreements.
This project explores the processes by which the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change prompts behavioural change in governments, the private sector and individuals. Twenty nine state and non state actors at the 8th UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP8) in 2002 were asked about their perceptions of the role of the Convention in influencing government, private sector and individual behavioural change. This project reviews this data with a view to characterising the processes of influence. The project team includes: Ms Helene Amundsen (CICERO, Norway).
iii) The role of hybrid forms of governance in environmental risk management.
Using the Lemos-Agrawal typology of hybrid forms of governance (Co-Governance, Public- Private Partnerships and Social-Private Partnerships.) The relative effectiveness of these systems of governance will be assessed with respect to national responses to hurricanes in the Caribbean. Specifically, the changing relationships between the private sector, the voluntary sector, the government and individuals in preparing for and responding to hurricanes in the Cayman Islands will be analysed. The project team includes: Ms Lisa-Ann Hurlston (Cayman Islands Government, Cayman Islands, BWI).
iv) Motivators of behavioural responses to environmental risk.
A variety of theories from different disciplines explain human motivation. This project explores the motivations for preparing for hurricanes in the Caribbean. 600 individuals have been interviewed using a questionnaire that elicits information on traditional social and eocnommic characteristics; social networks and bonds; attitudes towards the environment, risk and climate change; attitudes towards death, meaningless and isolation, and previous experiences of hurricanes. The project team includes: Ms Lisa-Ann Hurlston (Cayman Islands Government, Cayman Islands, BWI).
Selected Publications
- Arnell, N. W., E. L. Tompkins, et al. (2005). "Eliciting information from experts on the likelihood of rapid climate change." Risk Analysis 25(6): 1419-1431.
- Tompkins, E. L. (2005). "Planning for climate change in small islands: Insights from national hurricane preparedness in the Cayman Islands." Global Environmental Change 15(2): 139-143.
- Tompkins, E. L., E. Boyd, et al. (2005). Linking Adaptation Research and Practice. A report submitted to Defra as part of the Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Cross-Regional Research Programme. Norwich, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia.
- Tompkins, E. L., S. A. Nicholson-Cole, et al. (2005). Surviving climate change in small islands: A guidebook. Norwich, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East Anglia: 128.