Soft limits to climate change adaptation in Albury-Wodonga local government

Abstract

Soft limits is an emerging field of research. Identifying soft limits plays a critical role in understanding why stakeholders could experience no desirable climate change adaptation options, due to something they value being lost or experiencing intolerable risk. This is the first study to apply the concept of soft limits where the cultural values that are threatened are not directly connected to a ‘natural resource’. This thesis uses the concept of soft limits to climate change adaptation and applies it to the experience of two local governments, Albury City and City of Wodonga. Most studies on local government have questioned what makes it difficult for local government to adapt to climate change, this research takes a different approach and asking what stops more climate change adaptation occurring. Furthermore, the decision-making context these two local governments operate is examined. Firstly, the interaction state government policy and local government is explored. In addition the unique pressures and challenges of the local governments face is considered. The findings from this study suggest that mental models of climate change adaptation could be acting as a soft limit. The mental model leads to management that does not appreciate and account for the inextricable connection between object stakeholders value and the environment. At the level of state government, the policy framework in Victoria created a conducive environment for local government climate change adaptation than New South Wales. For Albury City, perceived economic and financial vulnerabilities affected decision-making. At the City of Wodonga there was greater appreciation of the connections between valued objects and the environment but perceptions around the role of government influenced decision-making.