What is it about?
Theories of local capacity building assume that cities and towns need external help (i.e. funds from outside agencies, technical assistance from higher levels of government, or staff help from private consultants, etc.) to be able to better managing the impacts of climate change. That is not necessary true. Internal capacity building can begin with local knowledge and skills.
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Why is it important?
Most of what passes for technical assistance in the climate change field enhances trained incapacity. Focusing on public learning and ongoing institutional enhancement is more likely to lead to adaptive efforts that work.
Perspectives
The term capacity building is mentioned quite often with regard to helping cities and towns (especially in coastal areas) adapt to the continuing pressures of climate change. But most of what passes for capacity building assistance does not seek to build on indigenous or local knowledge or enhance the skills of individuals committed to living in the community.
Professor Lawrence Susskind
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Building local capacity to adapt to climate change, Climate Policy, February 2021, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/14693062.2021.1874860.
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