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Transformational change: governance interventions for climate change adaptation from a continuous change perspective

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  • Catrien J.A.M. Termeer
  • Art Dewulf
  • G. Robbert Biesbroek

Abstract

Although transformational change is a rather new topic in climate change adaptation literature, it has been studied in organisational theory for over 30 years. This paper argues that governance scholars can learn much from organisation theory, more specifically regarding the conceptualisation of change and intervention strategies. We reconceptualise the divide between transformational change and incremental change by questioning the feasibility of changes that are concurrently in-depth, large scale, and quick; and the assumption that incremental change is necessarily slow and can only result in superficial changes. To go beyond this dichotomy, we introduce the conceptualisation of continuous transformational change. Resulting intervention strategies include (1) providing basic conditions for enabling small in-depth wins; (2) amplifying small wins through sensemaking, coupling, and integrating; and (3) unblocking stagnations by confronting social and cognitive fixations with counterintuitive interventions. These interventions necessitate a modest leadership. Governing transformational change thus requires transformation of the governance systems themselves.

Suggested Citation

  • Catrien J.A.M. Termeer & Art Dewulf & G. Robbert Biesbroek, 2017. "Transformational change: governance interventions for climate change adaptation from a continuous change perspective," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 60(4), pages 558-576, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jenpmg:v:60:y:2017:i:4:p:558-576
    DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2016.1168288
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    Cited by:

    1. Rodolfo Sapiains & Ana María Ugarte & Paulina Aldunce & Germant Marchant & Javier Alberto Romero & Mauro E. González & Valentina Inostroza-Lazo, 2020. "Local Perceptions of Fires Risk and Policy Implications in the Hills of Valparaíso, Chile," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Gérard Hutter & Alfred Olfert & Marco Neubert & Regine Ortlepp, 2021. "Building Resilience to Natural Hazards at a Local Level in Germany—Research Note on Dealing with Tensions at the Interface of Science and Practice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-22, November.
    3. Sylvia Nissen & Raven Cretney, 2022. "Retrofitting an emergency approach to the climate crisis: A study of two climate emergency declarations in Aotearoa New Zealand," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 40(1), pages 340-356, February.
    4. Chad Stephen Boda & Anne Jerneck, 2019. "Enabling local adaptation to climate change: towards collective action in Flagler Beach, Florida, USA," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 157(3), pages 631-649, December.
    5. Hans Kamperman & Robbert Biesbroek, 2017. "Measuring Progress on Climate Change Adaptation Policy by Dutch Water Boards," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 31(14), pages 4557-4570, November.
    6. Meuwissen, Miranda P.M. & Feindt, Peter H. & Spiegel, Alisa & Termeer, Catrien J.A.M. & Mathijs, Erik & de Mey, Yann & Finger, Robert & Balmann, Alfons & Wauters, Erwin & Urquhart, Julie & Vigani, Mau, 2019. "A framework to assess the resilience of farming systems," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 176, pages 1-10.
    7. John C. Boik, 2020. "Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part I: Worldview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-28, August.
    8. Iris Wanzenböck & Joeri H Wesseling & Koen Frenken & Marko P Hekkert & K Matthias Weber, 0. "A framework for mission-oriented innovation policy: Alternative pathways through the problem–solution space," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 47(4), pages 474-489.
    9. Yasmine Willi & Gero Nischik & Dominik Braunschweiger & Marco Pütz, 2020. "Responding to the COVID‐19 Crisis: Transformative Governance in Switzerland," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 111(3), pages 302-317, July.
    10. Cameron Allen & Shirin Malekpour & Michael Mintrom, 2023. "Cross‐scale, cross‐level and multi‐actor governance of transformations toward the Sustainable Development Goals: A review of common challenges and solutions," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(3), pages 1250-1267, June.
    11. Koko Warner & Zinta Zommers & Anita Wreford & Margot Hurlbert & David Viner & Jill Scantlan & Kenna Halsey & Kevin Halsey & Chet Tamang, 2019. "Characteristics of Transformational Adaptation in Climate-Land-Society Interactions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-22, January.
    12. John C. Boik, 2020. "Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part II: Motivation and Strategy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-23, September.
    13. Chin-Yu He & Ching-Pin Tung & Yong-Jun Lin, 2021. "Applying the DRCA Risk Template on the Flood-Prone Disaster Prevention Community Due to Climate Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-15, January.
    14. John C. Boik, 2021. "Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part III: Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-26, January.
    15. Romy Carmen Brockhoff & Robbert Biesbroek & Bregje Bolt, 2022. "Drought Governance in Transition: a Case Study of the Meuse River Basin in the Netherlands," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 36(8), pages 2623-2638, June.
    16. Walter Leal Filho & Franziska Wolf & Edmond Totin & Luckson Zvobgo & Nicholas Philip Simpson & Kumbirai Musiyiwa & Jokastah W. Kalangu & Maruf Sanni & Ibidun Adelekan & Jackson Efitre & Felix Kwabena , 2023. "Is indigenous knowledge serving climate adaptation? Evidence from various African regions," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 41(2), March.
    17. Katrina Brown & Larissa A. Naylor & Tara Quinn, 2017. "Making Space for Proactive Adaptation of Rapidly Changing Coasts: A Windows of Opportunity Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-17, August.
    18. Stephan Hügel & Anna R. Davies, 2020. "Public participation, engagement, and climate change adaptation: A review of the research literature," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(4), July.
    19. Walter Leal Filho & Franziska Wolf & Stefano Moncada & Amanda Lange Salvia & Abdul-Lateef Babatunde Balogun & Constantina Skanavis & Aristea Kounani & Patrick D. Nunn, 2022. "Transformative adaptation as a sustainable response to climate change: insights from large-scale case studies," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 1-26, March.
    20. Mikael Granberg & Karyn Bosomworth & Susie Moloney & Ann-Catrin Kristianssen & Hartmut Fünfgeld, 2019. "Can Regional-Scale Governance and Planning Support Transformative Adaptation? A Study of Two Places," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-17, December.
    21. Ng, Julia Su Chen & Chervier, Colas & Ancrenaz, Marc & Naito, Daisuke & Karsenty, Alain, 2022. "Recent forest and land-use policy changes in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo: Are they truly transformational?," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    22. Jacqueline M. Cramer, 2020. "Implementing the circular economy in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area: The interplay between market actors mediated by transition brokers," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2857-2870, September.
    23. John C. Boik, 2020. "Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part III: Design," Working Paper 0012, Principled Societies Project.
    24. Veruska Muccione & Thomas Lontzek & Christian Huggel & Philipp Ott & Nadine Salzmann, 2023. "An application of dynamic programming to local adaptation decision-making," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 119(1), pages 523-544, October.
    25. Winkelmann, Ricarda & Donges, Jonathan F. & Smith, E. Keith & Milkoreit, Manjana & Eder, Christina & Heitzig, Jobst & Katsanidou, Alexia & Wiedermann, Marc & Wunderling, Nico & Lenton, Timothy M., 2022. "Social tipping processes towards climate action: A conceptual framework," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).

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