Dutch national climate change adaptation policy through a securitization lens: Variations of securitization

Climate change has been framed as a threat to human security and therefore become securitized, scholars argue. But what about the securitization of climate adaptation policy response fight change? Adaptation risen on political agendas worldwide, few have found some early signs at UN/EU levels. This paper analyzes how extent securitized national level, studying The Netherlands one frontrunners in adaptation. We compared levels for different issues, based content analysis 19 general sectoral documents 7 in-depth interviews with makers experts. Securitization is studied respect discourses used frame risk or threat, actors tools that are put forward address threat. results show made Dutch flood risks even more prominent: two most important wake-up call speed up plans actions longstanding Delta program protect against flooding. also see considerable differences between issues. Water-related issues riskification, while same cannot be said heat stress drought. Furthermore, attention goes governance built environment, neglecting social health care domains need take account capabilities at-risk citizen groups. By applying lens this research yielded new insights into development. Future could develop better understanding tendencies travel across scales; instance, level influence local level.