What affects government planning for climate change adaptation: Evidence from the U.S. states

Journal Article · 16 August 2019 · Environmental Policy and Governance

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/eet.1866 · OSTI ID:1564473

Miao, Qing  ^[1]

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1. Department of Public Policy Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester NY 14623‐5604

Abstract As climate change unfolds, formal planning for climate adaptation is emerging at all levels of governments. This paper examines the factors that lead U.S. state governments to develop comprehensive adaptation plans. Using an event history analysis, we find that a state is more likely to engage in adaptation planning we find that a state is more likely to engage in adaptation planning when it experienced more extreme weather events recently, has more economic activities in coastal regions, or when it has high levels of incomes and civic engagement. We also show that political ideology plays a critical role in subnational adaptation decision making. A state is less likely to pursue adaptation planning when it has a Republican governor or has a lack of preference for environmental legislations. In addition to the internal characteristics, our study further provides evidence of the external influence from other nearby adapting states through spatial policy diffusion. These findings shed light on the motivation for and obstacles to a state's adoption of adaptation policy and also provide implications for environmental federalism.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0005171
• OSTI ID: 1564473
• Journal Information: Environmental Policy and Governance, Journal Name: Environmental Policy and Governance Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 29; ISSN 1756-932X
• Publisher: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English