A public choice framework for climate adaptation: Barriers to efficient adaptation and lessons learned from German flood disasters

Arbeitspapier

In this paper, we propose a comprehensive Public Choice framework to identify and categorize 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 efficient 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 interaction. 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.

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• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: UFZ Discussion Paper ; No. 3/2016

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation ; Climate; Natural Disasters and Their Management; Global Warming ; Environmental Economics: Government Policy
• Subject: adaptation ; barriers ; climate change ; climate policy ; efficiency ; public choice

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Gawel, Erik ; Lehmann, Paul ; Strunz, Sebastian ; Heuson, Clemens
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung (UFZ)
• (where): Leipzig
• (when): 2016

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/130616