This research was motivated by a concern that existing societal processes may exacerbate a given socio-ecological system’s susceptibility to the adverse consequences of climate change. Yet, such societal processes are simultaneously underrepresented in adaptation research and practice. The research examined how the problem of climate change adaptation is structured within multi-level policy and planning frameworks. First, a mixed-method methodology was developed and applied to construct international and national climate change adaptation policy frames. Second, Australian regional natural resource management (NRM) planning was used as a case study to analyse how the problem of adaptation planning was defined in planning documents. Third, expert semi-structured interviews were undertaken with NRM practitioners to examine how the existing decision-context orientated adaptation initiatives. The results demonstrate that existing planning frameworks are more amenable to technological concepts of adaptation planning over alternative concepts.

• Title: Defining the planning and policy problem of climate change adaptation: A discursive analysis of multi-level governance frameworks
• Speaker: Dr Ingrid Baker. Ingrid recently completed her PhD through the school of Earth and Environmental Sciences, UQ. Ingrid’s research has investigated climate change adaptation policy and planning at the international, national, regional and local levels. Ingrid is a qualified Town and Regional Planner with experience in the strategic development of planning law in Queensland, Australia.
• Where and when: 26 March 2021 12:00pm, Zoom: https://uqz.zoom.us/j/84845373766?pwd=UkR6cVpkZStpNlRBTnpCaHRCZGE4UT09 Password: UQ