Facing the heat: Barriers to mainstreaming climate change adaptation in local government in the Western Cape Province, South Africa

摘要: Abstract Local government represents a key opportunity for implementing local adaptation to the impacts of climate change. The need is most urgent in developing countries, yet research has focused on barriers change mainstreaming municipalities global North. This paper presents results study that investigated action eight Western Cape Province South Africa. Forty-seven municipal actors (officials and councillors) were interviewed regarding experience their municipality with adaptive actions (focussing ecosystem-based adaptation), as well knowledge belief issues. Results show multiple affect ability mainstream issues, from individual-level (such lack understanding options) regulatory/institutional problems posed by party politics) socio-cultural interest within constituencies issues). These numerous are not significantly different those encountered so far developed world, suggesting across globe there common national provincial governments address order at level changing planning other laws which operate recognise impacts). Our draws attention couple under-researched effects politics councillor qualifications operation performance, suggests much further should these topics both countries.