Evidence for Action 2021 International Symposium

ABSTRACT: The prevailing supply-driven model of delivering climate information from ‘providers’ to ‘users’ has so far not led to the implementation of climate risk management (CRM) policies and actions at a scale that would be needed in light of growing climate variability and extremes. This science-policy-implementation gap in CRM is often a result from insufficiently clear roles and responsibilities, diverging stakeholder interests and priorities, inexistent or incipient cooperation mechanisms, and a prevailing technocratic and top-down approach that does not sufficiently consider local capacities and limitations. To close this gap, social learning via effective participation processes is regarded key for enhancing understanding between stakeholder groups, reducing conflict, and promoting cooperation towards a more just and effective risk management. This paper presents the RESPECT role-play simulation as one potential stakeholder-focused, transdisciplinary research approach for fostering collaboration across Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) practice. We discuss insights, opportunities and challenges derived from implementing the RESPECT role-play simulation in two Austrian case-study regions, focusing on flood and drought risk. Based on the analysis of qualitative data gathered during these sessions, we find that role-play simulations hold high potential for fostering social learning in CRM. In particular, they (1) enable diverse societal stakeholders to better understand the interacting dimensions and drivers of climate-related risks, (2) allow a better understanding of each other’s interests and needs in addressing such risks at the individual and institutional level; and (3) engage societal stakeholders beyond traditional policy and decision-making communities in informed and inclusive public debate around challenges and solutions to CRM.