Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Reports
URL http://hdl.handle.net/10419/130616
Document publication document
Title (Primary) A public choice framework for climate adaptation – barriers to efficient adaptation and lessons learned from German flood disasters
Author Gawel, E.; Lehmann, P.; Strunz, S.; Heuson, C.
Source Titel UFZ Discussion Papers
Year 2016
Department OEKON
Volume 3/2016
Page To 25
Language englisch
Keywords Adaptation; barriers; climate change; climate policy; efficiency; public choice
Abstract In this paper, we propose a comprehensive Public Choice framework to identify and cate-gorize barriers to efficient public climate adaptation. Specifically, we distinguish three dimensions of public adaptation: extent, structure (form and timing) and organisation (vertical and horizontal). Within each of these dimensions, we investigate how the self-interest of voters, pressure groups, bureaucrats and politicians may bias adaptation decisions. Thus, we indicate specific barriers to effi-cient public adaptation. Based on this framework, we illustrate how Germany’s response to major flood disasters reflects the incentive structure of concerned stakeholders and their political interac-tion. The ad-hoc character of some public adaptation measures implies a clear bias from the efficient benchmark. In conclusion, we argue that the propositions of Public Choice theory shed some light on how empirical public adaptation processes unfold.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=17289
Gawel, E., Lehmann, P., Strunz, S., Heuson, C. (2016):
A public choice framework for climate adaptation – barriers to efficient adaptation and lessons learned from German flood disasters
UFZ Discussion Papers 3/2016
Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung - UFZ, Leipzig, 25 pp.