Abstract
In a global context, the outlook for the Nordic region is relatively favourable, given its relatively stronger resiliency to climate change impacts in comparison to many other geo-political regions of the world. Overall, the projected climatic changes include increases in mean temperatures and in precipitation, although regional variations can be significant. The countries’ robust institutions and economies give them a strong capacity to adapt to these changes. Still, the need for adaptation to the changing climate has been and still is substantial, and in most of the region, there has been progress on the issue. This paper explores the potential for Nordic cooperation on adaptation; specifically, for the development of a regional adaptation strategy. In particular, it addresses two questions (1) What is the current state of adaptation in the Nordic countries? and (2) What are the potential benefits and weaknesses of a Nordic strategy for adaptation? In order to answer these two questions, this paper examines reviews the current national adaptation policies of each Nordic country and discusses the challenges facing a Nordic strategy and finally assesses the potential for common Nordic adaptation policy and further cooperation.
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Notes
More details of the Baltic Strategy under preparation can be found here: “Baltic Strategy for adaptation to climate change in the Baltic Sea Region,” http://www.baltadapt.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid=224.
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Acknowledgments
This manuscript is based in part on a White Paper deliverable of the Nordic Climate Mitigation, Adaptation and Economic Policies Network (N-CMAEP) released online in 2013 by NordForsk, funded by the Norden Top-level Research Initiative sub-programme “Effect Studies and Adaptation to Climate Change”. The N-CMAEP network led to establishment of the Nordic Centre of Excellence for Strategic Adaptation Research (NCoE NORD-STAR) (Goodsite et al. 2013). The author team acknowledges additional members of the N-CMAEP network, who participated in discussions and provided additional input and expertise to this white paper: Kristian Peter Andreasen (Aarhus University, DK), Lara Johannsdóttir (University of Iceland, IS), Francis X. Johnson (Stockholm Environment Institute, SE), Jan K. Rød (Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO) and Mette Termansen (Aarhus University, DK).
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Juhola, S., Goodsite, M.E., Davis, M. et al. Adaptation decision-making in the Nordic countries: assessing the potential for joint action. Environ Syst Decis 34, 600–611 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-014-9524-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-014-9524-3