The Challenge of Climate Change Adaptation: Learning from National Planning Efforts in Britain, China, and the United States

Abstract

This paper surveys projected climate impacts and national planning efforts in three major countries. The three countries are in varying stages of planning for climate adaptation. Planning frameworks in all three countries suffer from a lack of specificity and urgency. To address this situation, the paper recommends the use of scenario planning, including consideration of high-impact scenarios, to address the downside risks of climate change, and identifying and prioritizing impacts on vulnerable populations such as the elderly, the poor, and coastal communities.