Social vulnerability in regional climate adaptation planning in Europe – Conceptions, operationalisations and shared challenges

Attention to social vulnerability in relation to climate change has grown, but its incorporation into adaptation planning practice remains underexplored. This study examines how social vulnerability is conceptualised and operationalised in regional climate adaptation planning across 12 European regions, and analyses interregional challenges to inform a socially just transition. Empirically, the study gathers data from stakeholders across 12 European regions, within partner institutions involved in the EU Horizon project Regions4Climate. The study follows a three-phase approach: (1) a written survey (2) 12 semi-structured focus group interviews with stakeholders (planners, government officials, researchers and consultants), and (3) a thematic analysis. This study articulates the perspectives of planners, government officials, researchers and consultants from within planning processes, to bridge the gap between index-oriented theoretical contributions and the planning practices. Findings show that while social vulnerability is gaining attention, it remains a novel and ambiguous concept in the climate adaptation planning process, with varying definitions, foci and indicators employed. There are tendencies to disassociate climate adaptation planning and social vulnerability concerns and limited formalised approaches to identification and involvement of socially vulnerable groups. Shared challenges related to involvement in regional climate adaptation processes generally, and of socially vulnerable groups specifically, are found across the regions. Key questions to advance social vulnerability considerations in regional climate adaptation planning are formulated. These address: Contextual understandings; explicit articulation of social vulnerability concerns; representation in plans and planning processes; structures and resources; cross-sectoral collaboration; and mediation of involvement in abstract, long-term and large-scale regional climate adaptation.