Climate resilience building in Semi-Arid Lands (SALs): institutional weaknesses and strengths in subnational governments in Brazil

Authors

  • Carlos Germano Ferreira Costa Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações e Comunicações, Comissão Interministerial de Mudança Global do Clima Secretaria Executiva da Comissão Interministerial de Mudança Global do Clima https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0280-7281

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/dma.v55i0.73354

Keywords:

climate adaptation, caatinga, AS/NZS ISO 31000, institutions, government-citizen interface, top-down, bottom-up, case studies

Abstract

Well established institutions are an essential factor for the successful realization of sustainable socio-economic and environmental potential in Semi-Arid Lands (SALs). SALs receive limited attention in international climate research and policies; thus, the institutional relationship between governance, policy, and implementation continues to suffer from inconsistencies across governance levels. This research carried out an analysis combining mixed-research methods to collect, record, and analyze data and information regarding institutional and organizational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and local level policy implementation challenges and scope to assess the effectiveness of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and implementation of adaptation policies at State and local levels in SALs. The inefficiencies observed in the DRM/CCA adaptation processes are concentrated in areas of high governance of state and municipal governments and stem from local communities' reduced organizational and technical capacity. It results in the negligent application of measures and resources to address climate risks. Therefore, this paper contributes to the increasing understanding of the institutional framework's role in the facilitation of local adaptation, revealing what seems to be working well, what is not, how things could improve in Brazilian SALs.

Author Biography

Carlos Germano Ferreira Costa, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações e Comunicações, Comissão Interministerial de Mudança Global do Clima Secretaria Executiva da Comissão Interministerial de Mudança Global do Clima

Ph.D. in Environment and International Development (Conflicts and Environmental Governance) by the Federal University of Ceará, with a Post-doctorate in Agricultural and Environmental Risk Management, in the mixed center - Ceigram/itdUPM - of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM). Currently working for the MCTIC (Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Brazil), as a Technical Consultant Fourth National Communication of Brazil to the UNFCCC. His research and teaching work is linked to disaster risk reduction and management, environmental and territorial governance, and environmental analysis.

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Published

2020-12-17

How to Cite

Ferreira Costa, C. G. (2020). Climate resilience building in Semi-Arid Lands (SALs): institutional weaknesses and strengths in subnational governments in Brazil. Desenvolvimento E Meio Ambiente, 55. https://doi.org/10.5380/dma.v55i0.73354

Issue

Vol. 55 (2020): Society and environment in the Semiarido: controversies and approaches

Section

Society and environment in the Semiárido: controversies and approaches

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