Bridges and Barriers to Adaptive Capacity

Abstract

This chapter has presents and discusses the bridges and barriers identified across the different governance scales and cases. The analysis of bridges and barriers to adaptation in relation to extreme events allows for a better understanding of adaptive capacity to be built, primarily through the identification of a set of favourable conditions for fostering adaptive capacity. Becoming aware of what the bridges and barriers are, even those that may seem immalleable can be seen as a first step in defining key factors that can transform barriers into factors that can transform capacity into action. While the analysis focusses on bridges or barriers to specific needs of adaptation and adaptive capacity building, it also drew on findings from the governance assessments and concepts such as IWRM as a starting point from which adaptation to climate related aggravations could be better navigated. Common bridges and barriers related to autonomy and structure, information and capacity, as well as integration and cooperation.