Polycentric governance systems respond to new collective action problems by fostering the emergence of leaders who reduce transaction and information costs, but struggle to address issues of inequality and redistribution.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 106 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This Element delves into the examination of governance systems in response to emerging collective action challenges associated with climate adaptation. Similar to climate mitigation, climate adaptation possesses public good attributes, leading to coordination and cooperation challenges. By integrating literature on adaptation planning with the Ecology of Games framework, a polycentric theory that combines rational choice institutionalism with social network theory, this research aims to explore how policy actors address the collective action problems inherent in climate adaptation. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative data and analysis, it is found that polycentric governance can effectively address coordination challenges by promoting the emergence of leaders who mitigate transaction and information costs. However, polycentric systems face difficulties in addressing issues of inequality and redistribution.

Introduction

Climate adaptation is a critical aspect of addressing the impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable regions such as the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Sea level rise is a significant threat to the region, posing risks to infrastructure, ecosystems, and human populations. As such, governance systems play a crucial role in coordinating efforts to adapt to these challenges.

Collective Action Problems in Climate Adaptation

Climate adaptation presents collective action problems due to its public good characteristics. The benefits of climate adaptation accrue to society as a whole, but the costs of implementing adaptation measures are borne by individual actors. This creates a coordination challenge, as individual actors may have different priorities and incentives, making it difficult to reach a consensus on adaptation strategies.

Polycentric Governance Systems

Polycentric governance systems are designed to address collective action problems by promoting collaboration and cooperation among multiple actors. These systems involve the participation of a diverse range of stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private sector companies, and local communities. The goal is to create a platform for dialogue and negotiation, where different perspectives and interests can be heard and considered.

Ecology of Games Framework

The Ecology of Games framework is used in this research to analyze the governance of adaptation to sea level rise in the San Francisco Bay Area. The framework combines rational choice institutionalism with social network theory to understand how policy actors interact and collaborate in complex systems. It examines the key barriers that policy actors perceive, the collaborative relationships they establish, and the policy forums they attend to address collective action problems.

Findings

The research findings indicate that polycentric governance can address coordination problems by fostering the emergence of leaders who reduce transaction and information costs. Leaders who are able to effectively communicate and coordinate adaptation efforts can help to bridge gaps between different stakeholders and promote consensus on adaptation strategies.

However, polycentric systems struggle to address issues of inequality and redistribution. While polycentric governance can promote collaboration and cooperation, it may not be effective in addressing the underlying social and economic inequalities that contribute to climate vulnerability. This is particularly true in cases where marginalized communities face disproportionate impacts of climate change and have limited access to resources and decision-making processes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, polycentric governance systems can be effective in addressing coordination problems associated with climate adaptation. By promoting collaboration and cooperation among multiple actors, polycentric systems can help to bridge gaps between different perspectives and interests and promote consensus on adaptation strategies. However, polycentric systems must also address issues of inequality and redistribution to ensure that the benefits of climate adaptation are distributed fairly and equitably.

ISBN-13: 9781009433587