Oslo workshop on social sciences in adaptation research (more about the workshop: http://www.gechs.org/nordic-adaptations)
The Nordic countries have different strengths and approaches to adaptation strategy work and research efforts. Therefore exchange of best practices, success stories, compilation of ongoing research etc. are considered important steps towards co-operation, for which CIRCLE provides a framework. Three research approaches and potential collaborative activities were discussed:
- Research on the progress of adaptation
- Research on the evaluate vulnerability and adaptive capacity
- Research to identify and evaluate adaptation measures
A country wise review of ongoing projects in adaptation was performed. The ERA-NET process and activities of CIRCLE were presented. The experiences from the UK with UKCIP were shared. UKCIP developed from a focus on basic research they held ten years ago, to a focus on impacts research and finally performed a coordinated assessment. They now have a toolkit.
To get more in dept in the discussions, three research approaches and potential collaborative activities were discussed.
Research on the process of adaptation
Should focus on possibilities and usefulness and on resilience rather than research on climate change and threats of impacts. For the Nordic countries it is rather a question of economics than of survival. Customer is mainly the research community.
Research to evaluate vulnerability and adaptive capacity
Should focus on a common understanding of adaptation capacity. Some of the Nordic countries lack vulnerability studies, which should be a first gap to address by space and place studies with a multiple and cross scale approach. Research methodology should be participatory and include stakeholders. Assessment of ongoing research and mapping are important themes.
Research to identify and evaluate adaptation measures
Should focus on research on risk assessment, security issues, sensitivity studies and communication. It should be an iterative process between natural and social sciences.
Also here a systematic compilation of adaptation research projects was mentioned as an important step.
What can and should the Nordic countries do?
The problem was formulated as a human security issue, which needs place based studies of risks and vulnerability rather than research in uncertainty. Integrated assessments and cross-sectional studies, mapping of risk prone areas, social economic studies not only on production but on consumption as well, spatial planning; risk governance, risk communication, risk mapping (EIA;SEA). Valuing issues and equity would be important themes. Also focus on tools that help communities to take actions was mentioned as a priority.