Where are we heading? Operationalization, incentivizing and follow-up in Swedish national climate adaption governance

As global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, adapting to climate change is becoming increasingly urgent.

Yet, scientific evidence and policy-evaluations show that the current pace of adaptation action is too slow, calling for enhanced national policy-steering to better govern and keep track of climate adaptation.

Clarifying operationalization of goals and strategies is key to enhance adaptation priority, guide implementation and track if adaptation responses are reducing risks.

Even if the IPCC points to the importance of national adaptation strategies, studies of Swedish national adaptation governance are rare, characterising Sweden as a case of non-steering, highly relying on mainstreaming and local governments calling for more directed national strategies.

In 2022, Sweden’s first adaptation policy cycle was completed, including the first national adaptation goal, an ordinance mandating 53 government agencies to formulate adaptation goals and strategies within their sectors or regions, and monitor and evaluation. This project analyses the design and progress of Swedish national adaptation mainstreaming.

Document analysis, interviews and visualisation-aided workshops are used to analyse operationalisation of goals and strategies, incentivizing change and follow-up as well as formulating policy recommendations together with key national adaptation policy actors. Three scientific papers, two policy briefs and policy lesson bullets are produced and disseminated.