Localizing climate change: stepping up local climate action

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the current literature and ideas on how local climate change action (both mitigation and adaptation) could be intensified.

Design/methodology/approach – A literature review of Australian and international academic journals and policy documents on the current views of effective local climate action was conducted. Additional data on Australian grassroots community activities was compiled from the internet, participant observation and secondary sources.

Findings – The paper argues that local climate action is important and three key aspects could provide effective avenues to step-up local climate action. These three avenues are: increased attention to local adaptation; the linking of adaptation and mitigation efforts together and with other local ecological concerns; and greater engagement with active community members and grassroots community-initiated climate change actions. These three key aspects could give climate change a local saliency and tangibility, spur more effective action, build community resilience and reduce vulnerability.

Research limitations/implications – Research is in the explorative stages and, therefore, only tentative conclusions and possible future directions can be suggested.

Practical implications – The avenues identified to scale-up local action on climate change could be readily utilised by local governments and/or other interested groups.

Originality/value – The paper disseminates three compelling ways that climate action could be intensified at the local scale, and possibly create greater public engagement and avenues to innovative approaches to tackle climate change.