Thanks to @martaolazabal.bsky.social for your partnership and support on this work, and keep an eye out for future work of the team at @imagineadapt.bsky.social!
01.09.2025 14:00
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Thanks to @martaolazabal.bsky.social for your partnership and support on this work, and keep an eye out for future work of the team at @imagineadapt.bsky.social!
But what now? Last year we surveyed just under 150 MERL practitioners worldwide. We’re using this framework to unpack what they told us, and explore how they are addressing these challenges – now and in the future.
These challenges are interconnected: they reinforce each other, but tackling them together can unlock opportunities for truly transformative adaptation. For example, narrow views of what adaptation can mean (ontological) + exclusionary participation (epistemological) = epistemic injustice.
We grouped the 47 challenges into 7 categories that reflect MERL’s complexity: defining adaptation and success, whose knowledge counts, how knowledge is valued, equity and politics, resource limits, and the complex spatial and temporal dimensions of adaptation.
We reviewed a decade of peer-reviewed and grey literature to understand what complicates MERL.
📚 73 sources
💡 47 interconnected challenges
🗂️ Grouped into 7 categories
Since the Paris Agreement, adaptation has been centre stage. But why is MERL still so hard to do well?
Over the past decade, we’ve learned a lot about the challenges of measuring adaptation progress.
🚨 New open access paper alert! 🚨
Working on adaptation MERL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, and Learning)? This one’s for you 👇
🔗 doi.org/10.1016/j.en...
💬 Our message: Just & effective climate action needs SGM inclusion at its core—not as an afterthought. Intergovernmental processes must set standards to ensure no one is left out. Feedback welcome while it's under review!
🔗 doi.org/10.21203/rs....
#ClimateJustice #LGBTQIA+ #NAPs #Pride
Most NAPs lean on recognition—naming SGM but not addressing root causes of exposure. Only 2 countries go further, taking action on structural inequalities. We also found SGM inclusion was more likely in countries with stronger legal protections & social acceptance.
Why focus on SGM in climate adaptation? Because climate impacts aren’t equal. SGM communities often face intersecting risks—displacement, violence, health & economic inequality. Yet they’re rarely central in climate planning. We mapped how (in)visible they are.
🌈 New pre-print (Pride edition)! Leo Goldsmith & I analysed all 198 UNFCCC national adaptation plans (NAPs)—252 docs total—to see whether & how they include sexual & gender minorities (SGM). Only 23 mention SGM, and just 2 show what we call transformative inclusion.
🔗 doi.org/10.21203/rs....
Meaningful #learning demands tough, honest conversations about what’s working—and what’s not. For this to happen, strong relationships are key. Whether among colleagues or with communities, we need safe, reflective spaces where people can imagine and co-create different ways forward.
My contribution focused on how #learning for #transformative #adaptation depends on strong relationships—among people and with nature. It’s not just about responding to hazards, but rethinking how we work, what we value, and who gets to shape the path forward.
Working on #transdisciplinarity for #adaptation? In our opinion piece in @plosclimate.org, we call for stronger evidence on the benefits of transdisciplinary approaches to climate adaptation. A great team effort led by @martaolazabal.bsky.social. But what was my part in this?
Thank you!
Thank you!!
Would it be possible to please add our project? We work on mostly urban adaptation, transdisciplinarity and knowledge co-production, as well as many other related topics like justice ad intersectionality: @imagineadapt.bsky.social thank you!
Would it be possible to please add our project? We work on mostly urban adaptation, transdisciplinarity and knowledge co-production, as well as many other related topics like justice ad intersectionality: @imagineadapt.bsky.social thank you!
Would it be possible to please add our project? We work on mostly urban adaptation, transdisciplinarity and knowledge co-production, as well as many other related topics like justice ad intersectionality: @imagineadapt.bsky.social thank you!
Would it be possible to please add our project? We work on mostly urban adaptation, transdisciplinarity and knowledge co-production, as well as many other related topics like justice ad intersectionality: @imagineadapt.bsky.social thank you!
Adaptation is all about relationships. The response to TC Alfred shows why: how “well” we adapt depends on our social bonds. Hoarding & profiteering or courage & care: what kind of country do we want to be? More explained in our recent paper: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Thanks Jenn!!
5/ 📰 Curious? Read the full article (open access!) here: doi.org/10.1007/s132... 📎
4/ 🌟 This was my final PhD paper & the one I’m most proud of! Huge thanks to my supervisors (@martaolazabal.bsky.social @upascual.bsky.social & Antonio Castro) and colleagues at BC3, Universidad de Almería, & IMAGINE Adaptation—and to all who shared their stories for this research. 🙏
3/ 🌿 In this paper, we revisit what adaptation really is in practice. We propose embedding adaptation within an ethics of care, reflecting how relationships shape adaptation. This raises bold questions: What relationships do we need to build? How do we recognize them in action?
2/ 💭 Beyond climate hazards, they highlighted the relationships we need to survive—and thrive—through climate uncertainties. These aren’t just human connections, but also ties to the more-than-human world, to "nature." 🌱
1/ 🚨NEW PAPER ALERT (OPEN ACCESS)🚨
What comes to mind when you hear "climate change adaptation"? ⛈️ Many think of softened blows from hazards. But when I asked MERL experts on urban nature-based solutions during my PhD, their unexpected answers reshaped my perspective. (doi.org/10.1007/s132...)
In a time when local action is more important than ever, supporting and getting inspired by grassroots solutions of environmental NGOs can make a difference.
Please suggest/repost to add you/other environmental heroes at all scales & regions 🌍💚
#environment #climate #actions
go.bsky.app/E4scLC5
Would anyone be interested in a #M&E / #MEL starter pack (monitoring, evaluation and learning) for researchers and practitioners? Too specific? Focusing on adaptation and related fields. Anyone signing up or recommending?
Ping also @martaolazabal.bsky.social, thanks!