Stakeholders’ perceptions of factors influencing climate change risk in a Central America hotspot

Abstract

AbstractTo identify adaptation priorities, countries aim to systematically assess their climate change risks, consistent with international agreements. National-scale risk assessment usually follows an expert-led procedure that aims to establish traction with existing policy processes. This may underrepresent important local or regional contexts, including where there are divergent socio-cultural factors or value systems that influence risk perception. These differences in interpretation are explored in detail for Guatemala, located in a climate change risk “hotspot” region, based upon semi-structured interviews with a wide range of stakeholders. Perceptions of factors affecting climate change risk are assessed between different types of stakeholders. Adaptive capacity and risk governance are considered, including the role of international aid to reduce climate change risk in developing countries. Non-profit, inter-municipal organisations of two or more municipalities, named mancomunidades, are potentially a useful structure to build adaptive capacity through reflexive risk assessment.