{"id":4573,"date":"2026-05-24T21:50:53","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T21:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uncertain2degrees.blogs.uni-hamburg.de\/?p=4573"},"modified":"2026-07-06T15:20:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T15:20:52","slug":"beyond-the-deficit-co-producing-climate-futures-with-publics-a-university-engagement-architecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uncertain2degrees.blogs.uni-hamburg.de\/?p=4573","title":{"rendered":"When Does Participation Add Value in Climate Change Adaptation?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Co-producing Climate Futures: Benefits, <\/b><b>trade-offs and\u00a0 design principles<\/b><b> for participatory adaptation<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Public participation in environmental decision-making is a legal right (1998 Aarhus Convention)1 and is further promoted as a basis for inclusive and representative governance (The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction2 and the Sustainable Development Goals &#8211; Target 16.73).<\/p>\n<p>Following these commitments, participatory approaches in climate adaptation have expanded considerably, aiming to <b>reduc<\/b><b>e<\/b> <b>vulnerability <\/b>by <b>strengthening adaptive capacity<\/b>.4<\/p>\n<p>Shifting away from top-down models by integrating diverse knowledge, values, lived experience, and agency into risk governance can improve both the<b> legitimacy <\/b>and effectiveness of actions.5<\/p>\n<p>This raises an empirical question : <b>does the evidence support this promise?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>In practice, participatory approaches in climate adaptation do not always align with their stated goals6:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Symbolic inclusion<\/b>: Outcomes are frequently measured by event attendance, rather than impact outcomes.7<\/li>\n<li><b>Elite driven: <\/b>Marginalized groups are often underrepresented.8 Maladaptation risk arises when participation is not inclusive and equitable in design and implementation.9<\/li>\n<li><b>Early-stage <\/b><b>and shallow<\/b>: Engagement is clustered heavily in the early planning stages (implementation, monitoring, and follow-up remain underrepresented).6 It is often limited to information-gathering and consultation, rather than co-production of adaptation strategies or genuine power-sharing. 5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Participation should not be understood as a\u00a0 discrete tool: not a ladder, but as a <b>dynamic and iterative process <\/b>shaped by three interdependent dimensions:<\/p>\n<p>1) Boundary Conditions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>They collectively predetermine how deeply participation can realistically go beyond consultation (engagement frequently begins within pre-existing constraints).<\/li>\n<li>When these conditions are supportive, methodological quality can help participation lead to genuine power-sharing and transformative outcomes.<\/li>\n<li>Boundary conditions should be audited before any participation commitment. This sets realistic expectations and ensure honest practice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>2) Process Quality (Within that constraints, how well was the available space used?):<\/p>\n<p>While classic participation models like Arnstein\u2019s Ladder11 assume a linear progression toward empowerment, &#8220;wicked&#8221; climate problems demand a more context-sensitive approach driven by scientific uncertainty and diverse societal <b>values<\/b>. Ignoring deep-seated structural inequalities, conflicting values, and low trust, can cause public engagement to backfire (maladaptive outcomes and reinforce existing inequalities).12, 13<\/p>\n<p>Adaptation value emerges when process quality supports genuine<b> inclusion, power-sharing<\/b>, <b>trust-building<\/b>, and <b>iterative feedback <\/b>over the long term. 8,14\u00a0 Communities can successfully navigate complex climate challenges together through collective action, transparency, and trust-building.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>3) Outcome Types:<\/p>\n<p>Evaluation of participation should move beyond attendance14:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Procedural outcomes: <\/b>Was the process perceived as fair, transparent, and inclusive?<\/li>\n<li><b>Substantive outcomes<\/b>: Did participation produce better-informed decisions or more contextually relevant adaptation measures?<\/li>\n<li><b>Transformative outcomes: <\/b>Were power relations altered? Was vulnerability measurably reduced? Did outcomes reach policy implementation?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Even where transformative outcomes are out of reach, participation can still add value through policy-ready, tangible outputs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Participation can reproduce inequality as well as <b>enable change<\/b>, both are possible within the same framework. To raise what participation can achieve, three things matter:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Policy translation: <\/b>Convert locally-generated visions into policy-actionable metrics institutions can act on.<\/li>\n<li><b>Stronger evaluation: <\/b>Co-design monitoring and evaluation frameworks to measure outcome quality (reporting, inclusion tracking, post-implementation assessment.<\/li>\n<li><b>Long-term institutional commitment<\/b>: Move beyond one-off projects and support long-term maintenance, while checking whether community capacity still exists after funding ends.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>References <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental\u00a0 Matters, UN, Geneva :. 1998-04-21, 28 p. At head of title: Fourth Ministerial Conference\u00a0 &#8220;Environment for Europe&#8221;, Arhus, Denmark<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/unece.org\/environment-policy\/public-participation\/aarhus-convention\/text\">https:\/\/unece.org\/environment-policy\/public-participation\/aarhus-convention\/text<\/a><\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li>United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015). Sendai framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015\u20132030. In: UN world conference on disaster risk reduction, 2015 March 14\u201318, Sendai, Japan. Geneva. Available from: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wcdrr.org\/uploads\/Sendai_Framework_for_Disaster_Risk_Reduction_2015-2030.pdf\">http:\/\/www.wcdrr.org\/uploads\/Sendai_Framework_for_Disaster_Risk_Reduction_2015-2030.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n<li>United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (A\/RES\/70\/1). United Nations. Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/sdgs.un.org\/sites\/default\/files\/publications\/21252030%20Agenda%20for%20Sustainable%20Development%20web.pdf\">https:\/\/sdgs.un.org\/sites\/default\/files\/publications\/21252030%20Agenda%20for%20Sustainable%20Development%20web.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n<li>(2022). <em>Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change<\/em>. Cambridge University Press. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/9781009325844\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/9781009325844<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Komendantova, N., Erokhin, D., Scolobig, A., Bruley, E., Mattera, M., &amp; Baldelli, M. (2026). Co-creating adaptation solutions: A critical review of participatory instruments in climate change adaptation laws and policies. Earth System Governance, 28, 100326. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.esg.2026.100326\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.esg.2026.100326<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Ravazzoli, E., Lavarello-Schettini, R., Oberti, B., &amp; Maino, F. (2025). Community-based approaches in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation: An analysis of applied participatory processes. <em>Climatic Change<\/em>, <em>178<\/em>(12), 225. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10584-025-04078-0\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10584-025-04078-0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>H\u00fcgel, S., &amp; Davies, A. R. (2020). Public participation, engagement, and climate change adaptation: A review of the research literature. WIREs Climate Change, 11(4). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/wcc.645\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/wcc.645<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Parsons, M., Godden, N. J., Henrique, K. P., Tschakert, P., Gonda, N., Atkins, E., Steen, K., &amp; Crease, R. P. (2025). Participatory approaches to climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation: A systematic review. Ambio, 54(12), 2005\u20132020. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s13280-025-02202-z\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s13280-025-02202-z<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Cattino, M., &amp; Reckien, D. (2021). Does public participation lead to more ambitious and transformative local climate change planning? Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 52, 100\u2013110. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cosust.2021.08.004\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cosust.2021.08.004<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Uittenbroek, C. J., Mees, H. L. P., Hegger, D. L. T., &amp; Driessen, P. P. J. (2019). The design of public participation: who participates, when and how? Insights in climate adaptation planning from the Netherlands. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 62(14), 2529\u20132547. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09640568.2019.1569503\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09640568.2019.1569503<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Arnstein, S. R. (1969). A ladder of citizen participation. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 35(4), 216\u2013224. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/01944366908977225\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/01944366908977225<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Ostojic, J. (2022). Community-based Adaptation to Climate Change &#8211; A Scoping Review of Success Factors, Challenges &amp; Lessons Learnt. Master Thesis, Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety, Lund University. Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/lup.lub.lu.se\/student-papers\/record\/9103886\">https:\/\/lup.lub.lu.se\/student-papers\/record\/9103886<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Eriksen, S., Schipper, E. L. F., Scoville-Simonds, M., Vincent, K., Adam, H. N., Brooks, N., Harding, B., Khatri, D., Lenaerts, L., Liverman, D., Mills-Novoa, M., Mosberg, M., Movik, S., Muok, B., Nightingale, A., Ojha, H., Sygna, L., Taylor, M., Vogel, C., &amp; West, J. J. (2021). Adaptation interventions and their effect on vulnerability in developing countries: Help, hindrance or irrelevance? World Development, 141, 105383. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.worlddev.2020.105383<\/li>\n<li>Hurlbert, M., &amp; Gupta, J. (2024). The split ladder of participation: A literature review and dynamic path forward. Environmental Science &amp;amp; Policy, 157, 103773. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.envsci.2024.103773\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.envsci.2024.103773<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Sartorius, J. V., Geddes, A., Gagnon, A. S., &amp; Burnett, K. A. (2024). Participation and co\u2010production in climate adaptation: Scope and limits identified from a meta\u2010method review of research with European coastal communities. WIREs Climate Change, 15(3). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/wcc.880<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Recommended Readings:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What is public participation?: https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/international-cooperation\/public-participation-guide-introduction-public-participation<\/p>\n<p>Defining and understanding transformational adaptation at different spatial scales and sectors, and assessing progress in planning and implementing transformational adaptation approaches at the global level : https:\/\/unfccc.int\/sites\/default\/files\/resource\/tp2024_08.pdf<\/p>\n<p>Method choose in EU: https:\/\/actioncatalogue.eu\/<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Co-producing Climate Futures: Benefits, trade-offs and\u00a0 design principles for participatory adaptation Public participation in environmental decision-making is a legal right (1998 Aarhus Convention)1 and is further promoted as a basis for inclusive and representative governance (The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction2 and the Sustainable Development Goals &#8211; Target 16.73). Following these commitments, participatory approaches<a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/uncertain2degrees.blogs.uni-hamburg.de\/?p=4573\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">&#8220;When Does Participation Add Value in Climate Change Adaptation?&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":209,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[257,273],"tags":[276,266,265,288,289,268],"class_list":["post-4573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog-post-2026","category-poster-topic-proposal-2026","tag-posterproposal2026","tag-civic-science","tag-co-production","tag-community-based","tag-engagement","tag-participatory-science"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uncertain2degrees.blogs.uni-hamburg.de\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uncertain2degrees.blogs.uni-hamburg.de\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uncertain2degrees.blogs.uni-hamburg.de\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uncertain2degrees.blogs.uni-hamburg.de\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/209"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uncertain2degrees.blogs.uni-hamburg.de\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4573"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/uncertain2degrees.blogs.uni-hamburg.de\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4573\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4751,"href":"https:\/\/uncertain2degrees.blogs.uni-hamburg.de\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4573\/revisions\/4751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uncertain2degrees.blogs.uni-hamburg.de\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uncertain2degrees.blogs.uni-hamburg.de\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uncertain2degrees.blogs.uni-hamburg.de\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}