Assessing the feasibility of climate adaptation options using local expertise and participatory approaches: The case of Puerto Morazán, Nicaragua

Adaptation options are being implemented globally to reduce the impacts of current and projected climate change. However, there is still limited information on assessments of the options available, especially related to adaptation research and practice in the Global South. Therefore, we present the local feasibility assessment of climate adaptation options as a methodological advancement, using Puerto Morazán’s (Nicaragua) agriculture and livestock sectors as proof of concept. For this case study, we complement current frameworks with participatory approaches and local expert knowledge to contextualize global narratives on adaptation feasibility and overcome information availability challenges. As a result, we assess sixteen options across the agriculture and livestock sectors. We demonstrate that, depending on the context, not all dimensions and criteria are equally relevant. In Puerto Morazán, the environmental and economic dimensions were the most important. We also confirm that the assessment of the options varies when local priorities are considered. Our results highlight the importance of the local context when identifying adaptation options. Our expanded assessment framework helps assess and generate evidence from the local level, where information is usually limited. The advanced assessment can guide local and subnational adaptation processes and inform other policy or scientific assessments by identifying the dimensions where there might be barriers to implementing adaptation.