Science-policy-practice Interfaces for City Climate Change Transitions: A Case Study of Canberra, Australia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Science indicates that cities are central to society’s capacity to avoid catastrophic and irreversible climate change, that rapid transitions to climate wise practices are needed and that transition steps will face implementation challenges. Lessons learned from reform experience can build understanding of the knowledge, policy and practices required for further transitions. This paper identifies lessons learned from renewable energy and resilience reforms in the city of Canberra, Australia. It finds that attention to science-policy-practice interfaces contributes important insights for the design of planned transitions and for integrative and implementation-focused reforms needed to overcome local barriers.