Implementation of climate change adaptation in small municipalities in Newfoundland: process and barriers

Blankson, Genevieve Kuntu (2021) Implementation of climate change adaptation in small municipalities in Newfoundland: process and barriers. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The impacts of climate change are already manifesting, and municipalities (both small and large) across the globe are attesting to this fact based on the increase and frequent changes in precipitation and temperatures, causing flooding, and storms in their locality. As a result, municipalities are implementing a myriad of actions to adapt to such impacts. Using a case study approach, the study used three small-size municipalities (population under 10,000) in western Newfoundland to ascertain the process they follow to implement adaptation measures, the role of multi-level governance in climate change adaptation and barriers they encounter to adapt to climate change. The findings from the study identified climate impacts in these municipalities, which included flooding, riverbank erosion and coastal erosion. The study found that climate impacts experienced differ among municipalities and so were the measures taken to minimise them. The municipalities under study did not have municipal adaptation plans to provide defined processes or steps to adapt to climate change. These municipalities instead used reactive methods to adapt to climate change. Regarding the role of multi-level governance, the study found that municipalities had direct relationships with the provincial government and that these relationships were most often perceived to hinder municipalities’ attempts to implement projects of high priority in the community. Some of the barriers identified in this study include the lack of funding for municipal adaptation projects, inadequate human resources to take on climate adaptation responsibilities and a lack of awareness and political interest. To overcome these barriers recommendations suggested included streamlining access to funding and intensifying public participation and education.

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