Facilitating climate adaptation: The resilience adaptation feasibility tool (RAFT) framework

Abstract

There is a disconnect between the urgency of responding to the threats posed by climate change and the existing resources, technical capacity, and political will necessary to engage in resilience planning and climate action. A variety of frameworks for bridging these gaps exist, but few have emerged through an iterative process of piloting and refining strategies to bridge these gaps on the ground. The Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (RAFT) framework builds upon decades of experience designing and implementing community engagement processes and offers an alternate model for advancing resilience and climate adaptation planning that leverages social learning to build consensus around shared values and community priorities. This paper documents the RAFT process, situates it within the context of climate adaptation planning research, and articulates its specific strengths as a flexible and portable model for engaging the public in preparing for climate change impacts.