Unpacking Political Contestations in Tracking Climate Change Adaptation

Abstract

The need to adapt to current and future climate impacts and the importance of tracking progress across time‐scales and locations has long been called for. Yet designing and implementing tracking frameworks for climate change adaptation (CCA) remains a challenge for various conceptual, empirical, and methodological reasons. Part of the challenge also lies in the politically contested nature of CCA tracking, which is important to understand but often overlooked, as tracking tends to be framed as a scientific and objective process. To address this gap, we review 47 peer‐reviewed articles found to discuss aspects of political contestations of tracking CCA. Through a thematic analysis, we interpretatively identify and theorize three areas of political contestations underpinning CCA tracking: (1) underlying assumptions and motives to track; (2) design of tracking metrics; and (3) the use and consequences of metrics. Our analysis reveals that although political contestations may not always be explicitly mentioned in peer‐reviewed literature, they are recognized, even as they receive limited empirical examination. We conclude with critically drawing out implications of these political contestations and discussing how tracking CCA can reinforce or contest what is included and supported within CCA policy through its performative impacts on authority, recognition, responsibility, and participation. These insights provide a comprehensive overview of the politically contested nature of CCA tracking and offer practical insights on these contestations and their real‐world implications. This article is categorized under: Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Institutions for Adaptation