One of the distinguishing features of successful societies is the ability to adapt to change, bothsocial but also natural changes like climate change. Climate change is a complex, dynamic,non-linear process with a great deal of uncertainty concerning the time perspective, risks andconsequences. A combination of factors like climate change, geographical vulnerability, adensely populated and highly built up coast line along with factors like deficient handling ofsurface runoff and a large usage of ground water leads to an increasingly vulnerable society. Italso puts a greater pressure on the society to have preventive measures in place.The number of actors working with preparing society to the expected impacts of climatechange and variability is increasing. However more than half of Sweden’s municipalities donot consider changing climatic conditions when planning, and many times even allow theconstruction of new living areas in known climatically vulnerable areas. Certain geographicalareas in Sweden are characterized by environmental problems which enhance the predictedeffects of climate change. The coast of Scania (Skåne) is one such area, where people for along time have had to adjust to conditions like coastal erosion, recurring high tides, low lyingareas and sinking land.The following study elaborates the politics of adaptive capacity. It is based on a comparativecase study of two different policy processes regarding adjustments to climatic conditions inthe coastal municipalities of Vellinge and Lomma in south-western Scania. In other words,this study explores the underlying factors that can explain what drives anticipatory measuresto strengthen the ability and possibility to handle effects related to climate change. Thetheoretical framework consists of theories regarding policy changes in social ecologicalsystems, and adaptation to climate. Structural actor based perspective, as well as systemoriented and process oriented have been applied.The results are based on 14 interviews with key politicians, officials and stakeholders fromnon-governmental organizations. The study is also based on reports, a citizen’s survey fromStatistics Sweden (SCB), newspaper articles, municipal documents, web sites and literature.The results show that the municipality of Vellinge implemented adaptation strategies yearsbefore Lomma municipality. Policy change was triggered by observed vulnerabilities inecological systems which affected the social systems. It resulted in an intense debate (awindow of opportunity), which in turn opened a policy window.The driving forces in policy process are central actors and shadow networks with access toknowledge. The results show that knowledge and understanding of ecological systems isessential for policy changes in climate adaptations. Research is needed, but research by itselfwill not be sufficient, research and...
