Proactive vs reactive climate action

This presentation describes the methodologies applied in a Deep South National Science Challenge funded research project called ‘Living with Uncertainty’. The multi-disciplinary Massey University team, led by Bruce Glavovic and Huhana Smith, used a participatory action research approach with the aim of learning through community-based adaptation planning alongside case communities and their stakeholders. Four communities of Tangimoana, Pūtiki, Waitōtara, and Rohutu were selected in consultation with regional and local leaders in Horizons (Manawatū-Whanganui) and Taranaki Regions as case study champions of proactive climate adaptation. Ākitio, was nominated along with many others, but was not initially selected as a case. In the Horizons Region, the Climate Action Joint Committee, and the Climate Action Plan (2023) enable, co-ordinate, and support workstreams to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Horizons Regional Council contributed complementary funding to the ‘Living with Uncertainty’ project, seeking through social science to understand institutional barriers and enablers to reduce climate risk. After cyclone Gabrielle, the Climate Action Joint Committee saw merit in a small project that aimed to understand how recovery efforts might contribute to longer-term resilience building and climate adaption for the community of Ākitio. The approach for Ākitio was slightly different in that we observed the recovery engagement led by Tararua District and set out to hear reflections by residents and key people in the recovery process, and then compare these findings with the other case studies. We have not presented results because the research approach means that sharing of the learnings from these two projects will be guided by the communities and their stakeholders.