Climate Change Adaptation in Small Island Developing Countries - A Case Study of the "Whole of Island" Approach of Kiribati
Author
Schrader, Tessa-Sophie
Term
4. term
Publication year
2018
Submitted on
2018-05-31
Pages
55
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan klimaforandringer påvirker den lille østat Kiribati, og hvorfor regeringen har valgt den såkaldte Whole of Island (WoI)-tilgang som tilpasningsstrategi. Med et kvalitativt, deduktivt design analyseres offentlige dokumenter om udvikling og implementering af WoI, især “Abaiang Island, Kiribati – A Whole‑of‑Island Integrated Vulnerability Assessment” (2016). Analysen anvender statskapacitetsteori, governance- og offentlig governance-teori samt tre grene af nyinstitutionalisme (normativ, historisk og rationel valgteori) til at belyse beslutningsprocesserne. Baggrunden viser, at lave atoller og store afstande mellem øerne kombineret med havniveaustigning, hyppigere tørker og oversvømmelser, kysterosion og saltindtrængning i knappe ferskvandslinser skaber høj sårbarhed, forstærket af hurtig befolkningstilvækst og socioøkonomiske forhold. Resultaterne peger på, at WoI sigter mod bedre integration på tværs af sektorer og øer og stærkere regionalt samarbejde; at regeringen i høj grad udnytter indirekte statskapacitet ved at dele myndighed og inddrage lokale ledere og fællesskaber; og at tilpasningsarbejdet udviser en relativt høj statskapacitet. Kiribati National Expert Group (KNEG) fungerer som netværksbaseret governance, der samler civilsamfund samt nationale og lokale repræsentanter. WoI og KNEG fortolkes som institutioner, hvis brede accept kan forklares med nyinstitutionelle perspektiver: rationel nytteoptimering (bevarelse af levegrundlag) og historiske/normative mønstre, der opretholder traditionelle stammelederes indflydelse. Tre forhold forklarer valget af WoI: geografisk spredning, behovet for koordination ud over top‑down styring og nødvendigheden af at inkludere traditionelle autoriteter for at sikre effektive tiltag. Specialet anbefaler, at andre små østater udvikler tilpasningsprogrammer, der er forankret i landespecifikke sårbarheder og karakteristika.
This thesis examines how climate change affects the Small Island Developing State of Kiribati and why its government adopted the “Whole of Island” (WoI) approach as an adaptation strategy. Using a qualitative, deductive design, it analyzes government documents on the development and implementation of WoI, with particular attention to the 2016 “Abaiang Island, Kiribati – A Whole‑of‑Island Integrated Vulnerability Assessment.” The study applies state capacity theory, governance and public governance concepts, and three branches of new institutionalism (normative, historical, and rational choice) to interpret decision-making. Background analysis shows that low-lying atolls and large distances between islands, together with sea-level rise, more frequent droughts and floods, coastal erosion, and salinization of scarce freshwater lenses, create high vulnerability compounded by rapid population growth and socioeconomic factors. Findings indicate that WoI seeks stronger integration across sectors and islands and greater regional cooperation; that the government predominantly relies on indirect state capacity by sharing authority and involving local leaders and communities; and that adaptation work exhibits a relatively high degree of state capacity. The Kiribati National Expert Group (KNEG) operates as a network governance mechanism bringing together civil society and national and local officials. WoI and KNEG are interpreted as institutions whose broad acceptance can be explained by new institutionalist perspectives: rational utility maximization (preserving livelihoods) alongside historical and normative patterns that sustain the influence of traditional tribal governance. Three factors help explain the choice of WoI: geographic dispersion, the need for coordination beyond top‑down control, and the importance of including traditional authorities to ensure effective measures. The thesis recommends that other SIDS design adaptation programs grounded in country-specific vulnerabilities and characteristics.
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