PlanAdapt

📣 We are thrilled to welcome our new PlanAdapt Fellow - Kate Power 🌍 Based in Hitzacker, Germany, Kate has 24 years of expertise in academic research, non-profit and philanthropic grant-making and project management. Her experience includes network building, innovation and facilitation 🌐. Kate has worked in roles that involved developing pioneering projects with like-minded partners to co-create high ambition action for greater #SocialImpact. This includes creating motivating, 🔋energized and respectful spaces to tackle societal challenges such as #climatejustice .🌱 Kate is a freelance consultant, and has worked with Inter Alia, Hot or Cool Institute , KR Foundation, Copenhagen Business School, Copenhagen Resource Institute and Greenpeace International. 🎓 She holds a Master ́s degree in Gender, Anthropology and Development from Goldsmiths, University of London. Welcome to the team, Kate! Learn more about her ⤵️: https://lnkd.in/dZBtVq9r 📣 Interested in becoming a PlanAdapt #Fellow and joining our co-creation and innovation #Climate Co-Adaptation #Lab? You can find out more here🔗: https://lnkd.in/dn87mMQ4

🌍 Boosting Individual Impact & Career and Contributing to Collective Adaptation Action as a Climate Adaptation Researcher via Engaging in Climate Adaptation Networks, Alliance, Partnerships and Platforms! 🌍   The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) & the Capacity Strengthening Hub of the CLARE Programme, co-hosted an online event, focusing on "Engaging in Climate Adaptation Networks, Alliances & Platforms'' on March 26, 2025! 🎉. The session brought together an incredible group of researchers, practitioners, and climate adaptation leaders to explore collaboration opportunities. We discussed the positionality of researchers in society and a deep dive into selected networks in the climate change adaptation space:    🌿Africa Research and Impact Network. (ARIN)🌿 NAP Global Network 🌿Adaptation Without Borders🌿Global Resilience Partnership 🌿PlanAdapt🌿 FEBA- Friends of EbA 🌿 Anticipation Hub🌿 weADAPT (new official page) 🌿Climate KIC - Adaptation Innovation Center Tanzania 🌿Nature-based Solutions for Urban Resilience in the Anthropocene (NATURA)   💡 Key Takeaways: ✅ engaging in networks, alliances and platforms offers opportunities to  expand the 'individual' impact sphere of climate adaptation researchers ✅ getting exposure to aspects of societal change processes (via policy change, innovation & technology, behavior change etc.) beyond the generation of knowledge and evidence enables a bigger impact of research work; and ✅ helps to be part of a bigger voice and collective action. As we move forward, let’s continue fostering ripple effects beyond our immediate spheres of control and comfort zones. Climate adaptation impact at scale requires collective action, and by strengthening our networks and collaborations, we can drive meaningful change at multiple levels.   🙌 A big thank you to our speakers, participants, and organizing partners for making this a rich and engaging discussion. We would like to keep the momentum going! Continue connecting, collaborating, and strengthening climate adaptation efforts! If you missed the session or want to continue the conversation, feel free to reach out. Find out also more about opportunities to collaborate within PlanAdapt!   #ClimateAdaptation #ClimateResilience #climateaction #climaterisk #Collaboration #Networking #ResearchImpact #Sustainability #PlanAdapt #CLARE African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)   Katy Harris, Dorothy Heinrich, Dr. Joanes Atela, Ayoub Derdabi, Rose Washington, Namrata Ginoya, David Hoffmann, Krystel Montpetit, Loan Diep, Pablo Herreros Cantis, Martin Rokitzki, Alice Chautard, Richard Klein Alessandra Gilotta, Kirsten Dunlop, Ali Raza Rizvi, Jesper Hörnberg, Orville Grey, Sukaina B. Manuela Di Mauro Bruce Currie-Alder Heidi Braun

🌍 What does it take to make African cities more climate #resilient? 🌍  New research by ICLEI Africa and the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC), in the Working Paper 27, offers crucial insights. 💡 💪 #ClimateChange poses complex challenges for African cities, intersecting with social, political, cultural and economic issues. Risks are driven by both exposure to climate hazards and underlying vulnerabilities. Informality, lack of affordable housing, inadequate infrastructure, and limited municipal resources all exacerbate climate vulnerability. Authored by Hayley Leck, Zakiyya Atkins Amien, Luka Dreyer, Yakhuluntu Dubazana, Clara Marais, Lorena Pasquini, Tashi Piprek, Dr Meggan Spires and Kate Leigh Strachan, PhD, the paper synthesizes key climate findings from the African Cities Research Consortium's work across 12 cities. It covers domains like housing, informal settlements, land use, youth development, and public health. It provides a nuanced, cross-cutting perspective on the intersection of climate risks and urban systems in Africa. 💬 The research also highlights opportunities. Community-led security solutions, youth empowerment initiatives, and investments in domestic food production could build climate resilience. Participatory planning that elevates local voices is key. And transitioning transport microenterprises to greener options could enhance both sustainability and economic development. 🍀 These insights demonstrate the need for holistic, #transformative approaches to climate #adaptation in African cities - not just incremental fixes. By addressing complex social, economic and political dynamics, we can build cities that are more #equitable, #sustainable and resilient in the face of a changing climate. 🍀 Read the full report here: https://lked.in/B5Vqd8 🍃 Ultimately, this research challenges us to critically examine our visions for the future and strive for more inclusive, equitable and sustainable approaches to climate adaptation. 🍃 It's a valuable resource for anyone working to build climate resilience in urban centers across the Global South. 🌆 These findings resonate strongly with PlanAdapt's mission. We facilitate economically just, socially inclusive and effective climate adaptation through transdisciplinary approaches that bridge the gap between science, policy and practice. 👨👩👧👦 Learn more about PlanAdapt, our mission and previous work here: https://lked.in/8cv3q Photo Credit: ICLEI Africa #ClimateAdaptation #UrbanResilience #SustainableCities #ClimateJustice #EcosystemBasedAdaptation #Decarbonization #InterdisciplinaryResearch #InclusiveCities

🌟 Welcome to PlanAdapt, Swarna Selvarajhan! 🌟 Based in Darmstadt, Germany, Swarna joins us as an Intern in Research, Collaboration & Innovation – Climate Risk Management, Climate Adaptation. With a background in architecture and international urban development, she brings a unique perspective on climate resilience, adaptation strategies, and sustainable urban futures. 🌍✨ Swarna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and an Advanced Master’s in International Cooperation in Urban Development from TU Darmstadt. Her research spans diverse climate and urban issues, from coastal climate vulnerability in Chennai to decarbonization strategies in megacities like Shenzhen. Her thesis titled “Coastal Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation: A Case Study of Chennai City“, explored Community-Based and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (CBA & EbA) strategies rooted in the region’s historical resilience with an aim to fortify Chennai’s communities against climate change impacts while safeguarding traditional livelihoods. 📚🌱 Beyond climate adaptation, Swarna has explored water-sensitive urban design, environmental stewardship in Bhutan, conflict analysis in urban landscapes, and international education and sdg 4.7 at the Global Citizenship Foundation. These practical experiences strengthen her ability to integrate climate justice, governance, and policy-driven solutions. At PlanAdapt, Swarna is excited to contribute to research and global dialogues on climate justice, low-carbon development, and interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing from both history and innovation to create more resilient and equitable urban futures. We’re thrilled to have you on board, Swarna! 🚀 🔗 Learn more about Swarna and her work: https://lnkd.in/ePig9Cdi #WelcomeToTheTeam #ClimateAdaptation #UrbanResilience #SustainableCities #ClimateJustice #EcosystemBasedAdaptation #Decarbonization #InterdisciplinaryResearch

🎉 We’re 5! 🎉 Five years ago, PlanAdapt began as an experiment—an ambitious vision to create a new, innovative addition to the landscape of organizations working on climate adaptation 🌱. We set out to challenge conventional structures 🏛️, rethink management practices 🔄, and build a more inclusive and collaborative work culture 🤝. To shape a dynamic and equitable way of working, we embraced models like sociocracy 🔄, holacracy ⚖️, and open organization 🔓, blending these philosophies into the foundation of PlanAdapt. A prime example? Our Climate Co-Adaptation Lab 🧪🌍, a collaborative space co-created with our team! We strive to unleash each team member’s potential 🚀 while fostering long-term, trust-based relationships ❤️. We believe that professional and personal aspirations should align 🎯, creating space for convictions, emotions, and empathy 💡💙 in our work. This approach not only nurtures our team and fellows 👥 but also amplifies the impact of our projects and initiatives✨. We are constantly working towards decolonizing collaborations between experts and researchers from the Global South and Global North, overcoming persistent inequalities ⚖️ in the global knowledge economy 📚. Values and purpose are in the Center in the 21st Century! and as true adaptation professionals, we are constantly improving and adjusting our structures and ways of working 🔄. This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible people behind PlanAdapt—our dedicated team 👩💻👨💻, our trusted partners 🤝, and everyone who has walked this path with us 👣. Thank you for being part of our story! 💙 🥂 Here’s to the next five years of learning 📖, growing 🌿, and making climate adaptation work for those who need it most 🌍✨! #climateresilience #collaboration #climateaction #cocreation #climateadaptation #innovation #climatejustice

🎉Five Years of PlanAdapt: Lessons from the Frontlines of Climate Adaptation 🎉 As we celebrate 5 incredible years of PlanAdapt, we’re taking a moment to reflect—not just on the progress we’ve made, but also on the challenges we’ve faced along the way. 💡💭 If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that climate adaptation is still a relatively new and challenging societal ‘task’ and professional field. The enormity of the challenge can be overwhelming. Adaptation innovation and scaling is a must, and cannot be considered a luxury or a business. 💚 Here are some of the challenges we’ve faced: 🔹 Nuances and Context Matter, More Local to Global than Global to Local Required   🌏➡️🏘️ – High-level discussions often miss the nuances of on-the-ground adaptation. To make real change, we need science, empathy & humility and vertical collaboration as the backbone of anticipatory and effective adaptation policies and strategies. 🔹 Barriers to Scaling Adaptation Funds and Work💰❌ – For too long, climate adaptation has been treated as an optional effort (a) that modifies previous approaches in incremental ways; (b) that is financed by ‘surplus’ aid money (mostly in OECD countries) if available; (c) that is boxed in ‘ill-conceived’ pilot projects that are unlikely to enhance sustainability or have an impact at scale. 🔹Uncertainty Creates Discomfort and Social Learning and Innovation Is Undervalued  🌦️🤔 – Adaptation isn’t a straight path. We’ve learned the value of flexibility, experimentation, and learning by doing. 🚀 Despite these challenges, we remain hopeful, committed, and energized! Over the past 5 years, we’ve seen first-hand how collaboration, creativity, and determination can drive real impact. 🌱 Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Here’s to more learning, growing, and making adaptation work for those who need it most! 💙✨ #climateresilience #innovation #climateaction #cocreation #climatejustice #collaboration #climateadaptation

🌍 What if the way we imagine the future is holding back climate adaptation? 🌍 Despite growing awareness of #climaterisks, a significant 'adaptation gap' persists in how we respond. Why is this the case? 🤔 This new article suggests that the answer lies, in part, in how governance actors imagine the future. The paper, by Christoffer Söderlund Kanarp, Steffen Boehm & Annette Löf, presents a fascinating framework to understand 'adaptation imaginaries' - collective visions of desirable futures that shape #climateadaptation strategies. These imaginaries influence not only goals but also the political dynamics of governance, highlighting how future societies and economies are envisioned, contested, and built. The authors identify 6 key imaginaries: 1️⃣ Eco-Modern State: Emphasising state-led, incremental adaptation tied to economic growth and technological advancement. 2️⃣ Just Adaptation: Centered on equity, justice, and transforming socio-economic systems to support the most vulnerable. 3️⃣ Promethean (Green) Growth: Focused on market-based solutions and innovation. 4️⃣ High-Tech Society: Leveraging advanced technology for resilience. 5️⃣ Human Stewardship: Advocating for ethical responsibility and a harmonious relationship with nature. 6️⃣ Knowledge Society: Prioritising research, education, and shared learning for systemic change. 💡 The research highlights how dominant imaginaries often reinforce existing power structures and incremental approaches. It challenges us to critically assess these visions and strive for transformational changes to bridge the adaptation gap. 📖 Read the full article to explore these imaginaries and their implications: https://lnkd.in/gNet_ghs These findings resonates with PlanAdapt’s mission. 🌎✨ As an organization dedicated to  socially inclusive and economically just climate adaptation, particularly in the Global South, we actively work to bridge the gap between adaptation science and action. By focusing on 🤝 collaboration, 🔄 transdisciplinary knowledge, and ⚖️ equitable solutions, we contribute to shaping an adaptation future that works for all. Learn more about our work at PlanAdapt here: https://lnkd.in/eMSuMQrE #ClimateAdaptation #Governance #Sustainability #TransformationalChange

🎉🌍5 Years of PlanAdapt: Celebrating Impact & Achievements! 🌍🎉 Five years ago, PlanAdapt set out on a mission: to make climate adaptation knowledge more accessible and relevant; and help to shape the current & next generation of adaptation and climate risk professionals. Today, as we celebrate this milestone, we’re looking back at what we’ve achieved together. 💚 🚀What we’ve accomplished in 5 years: 🌱Strengthened Adaptation Capacity – We’ve supported organisations, researchers, and practitioners with the knowledge and tools to design and implement context-specific adaptation solutions. 🤝Built a Global Network of Climate Adaptation Experts – From Africa to Latin America to Asia, we’ve grown a diverse and passionate network of adaptation professionals committed to real change. 🔬Advanced Adaptation Knowledge & Innovation – Through initiatives like the Climate Co-Adaptation Lab, we’ve created spaces to innovate, co-create, and refine adaptation approaches that truly work. 💰Advocated for More Equitable Approaches – We’ve worked to shift power and resources toward effective, socially-inclusive and economically just adaptation knowledge brokering efforts, also by tackling persistent power imbalances in the expert and knowledge  economies between the Global South and North. 📚Brokered Adaptation Knowledge & Insights – From summarizing and synthesizing to translating and communicating adaptation knowledge in publications, workshops and capacity-building sessions, enabling diverse societal groups to embrace climate adaptation, particularly in the Global South. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our team, partners, and communities who believe in the power of collective action. 🌎💙 ✨ Here’s to five years of impact—and to many more ahead! Thank you for being part of our journey. Let’s keep adapting, learning, and building a climate-resilient future together. 💪🌿 #climateresilience #innovation #climateaction #cocreation #climatejustice #collaboration #climateadaptation🌏🎉

🌍✨ In a world of complex climate challenges, #CriticalThinking is the compass that helps researchers navigate uncertainty 🤔💡 Reflecting on an inspiring week at the #CLARE Capacity Strengthening (CS) Hub Seasonal School 2025 in Dar es Salaam - where early career researchers from across #Africa and #Asia came together for a week of peer learning, deep discussions, and hands-on skill-building! 🌟 At PlanAdapt, we’re excited to be building the capacities of climate researchers to tackle adaptation and resilience challenges. Together with our amazing colleagues at the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), we created an immersive week that blended multiple learning modalities: 📢 Peer Learning → Troubleshooting #DataCollection challenges, navigating ethics & exploring the #KnowledgeBrokering spectrum 🔍 Experiential Field Visit → Gaining real-world insights from the Centre for Community Initiatives #ClimateAdaptation projects in Vingunguti informal settlement 🎯 Mini Project → Applying action research methods (#Photovoice, #ParticipatoryGIS etc) to conduct a #CRVA (Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment) Our PlanAdapt colleagues - Tamara Nyirenda, Lisa Manya, and Carys Richards - were on the ground, facilitating engaging sessions and guiding participants through the week. It was great to see early career researchers challenge their assumptions, gain new perspectives, and build confidence in their ability to conduct ethical & impactful research! ⚡ The week wrapped up with inspiring mini project presentations and a celebration of new connections - because learning is about more than just knowledge; it's about building networks and relationships 🌍 🤝 A huge thank you to everyone who participated, facilitated, and supported this event, especially our partners at African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and the CLARE Programme (supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office & International Development Research Centre (IDRC)) 💚 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gEtTiNND #CapacityStrengthening #ClimateAdaptation #EthicalResearch #CollaborativeResearch #ClimateResilience #CriticalThinking #CLARE

What a week it was for PlanAdapt, the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), and all the incredible participants we had the privilege of engaging with at the #CapacityStrengthening Hub's Seasonal School on #CriticalThinking and Collaborative Research in Dar es Salaam! 💫 We're still reflecting on the many ‘aha’ moments and the wealth of insights shared by #CLARE’s early career researchers. This week sparked meaningful connections across disciplines, countries, and CLARE projects - strengthening #ClimateAdaptation and #ClimateResilience research across Africa and Asia 🙌 💚 A big thank you to the CLARE Programme, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) for making this possible 👏