Stakeholder Perceptions of Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Region

The project “Developing Policies and Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Region” (AS­ TRA) assesses regional vulnerabilities to climate change and aims for developing adaptation options. To de­ termine whether the participating municipalities are prepared to climate change, this study investigates stake­ holder perspectives and knowledge in multiple case studies. Based on a qualitative survey, institutions perceived to be relevant as well as climate change impacts and exposure units were collected. Institutional failures are identified. While factors constraining adaptation are found more on the local level, enabling factors are seen at higher levels. Most importantly, climate change is not a priority issue on the municipal level. Respondents have difficulties in identifying concrete susceptibilities and response options, leaving the impression that many muni­ cipalities are not prepared to climate change. This is due to uncertainties, but also to missing frames of refer­ ence, indicating that many municipalities are at an early stage of awareness. Current priorities should be given to knowledge transfer and communication processes. The study further indicates that most actions happen on the mitigation part. This contradicts state-of-the art theory on adaptation such that the study gives impulses for future research.