Palgrave Studies in Climate Resilient Societies – serie

This book explores the link between climate change and resiliency on each continent of the world. It reviews how climate change affects populations, not only through environmental exposures and health outcomes, but how people live their lives. Zolnikov brings together a set of experts to offer a novel perspective on understanding climate change vulnerability alongside adaption measures being implemented. Each chapter includes an overview on how climate change will affect that continent alongside current adaptation, mitigation, and policies that seek to improve population outcomes. As a whole, the book explores why a “one size fits all” approach to promote climate change resiliency does not work; however, a global perspective can facilitate people learning from one another and facing climate change together.

This book conceptualizes community nutrition resilience as a critical area that is currently lacking the attention it requires from both the public and private sectors. The book spotlights Greater Miami’s resilience efforts, both responding to slowly developing challenges such as immigration, environmental deterioration, and the wealth distribution gap, as well as sudden disasters such as hurricanes or flooding driven by climate change. Drawing on existing literature as well as interviews with professionals working in the field, the author makes recommendations on how to incorporate food systems into urban resilience planning, how to prioritize resilience on urban food agendas, and how to strengthen food system resilience through public, private, and third sector level engagement. She also highlights how the availability of and access to nutritious food impact the health, performance, and well-being of communities in the region, thus making a strong case for the prioritization of thisgrowing issue.

This book presents new research on policy innovations that promote the development of the circular water economy. In contrast to the linear economy, the circular water economy promotes the reduction of water consumption, reuse of water, and recovery of resources from wastewater to not only increase resilience to climate change but also to reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the provision of water and wastewater-related services. Providing a series of in-depth case studies of important locations in differing climates around the globe that have implemented a variety of policy innovations to develop the circular water economy, this book is a valuable resource for water and resource conservation managers, policymakers, international companies and organisations interested in the circular economy, environmental NGOs, researchers, as well as graduate and undergraduate students.  ·  Systematically reviews policy innovations to develop the circularwater economy·  Illustrates how leading locations from around the world have developed the circular water economy to increase resilience to climate change while reducing emissions ·  Provides ‘best practices’ for other locations around the world aiming to implement the circular water economy

This book explores climate change responsiveness policies for cities and discusses why they have been slow to gain traction despite having been on the international agenda for the last 30 years. The contributing role of cities in accentuating the effects of climate change is increasingly demonstrated in the literature, underscoring the unsustainable models on which urban life has been made to thrive. As these issues become increasingly apparent, there are global calls to adopt more sustainable and equitable models, however doing so will mean the disruption of economies that have historically relied upon pollution-generating industries. In order to address these issues the authors examine them from a cross-disciplinary perspective, bringing in regional, local and urban standpoints to subsequently propose an alternative short-term economic model that could accelerate the adoption of climate change mitigation infrastructures and urban sustainability in urban areas. This book will be of particular value to scholars and students alike in the field of urbanism, sustainability and resilience, as well as practitioners looking at avenues for economically incentivizing sustainable development in various geographical context.

This book describes the urgent challenge faced by cities worldwide to become resilient to climate change impacts. This challenge goes further than the ability to resist the impacts of extreme weather conditions. Coping with climate impacts and the ability to recover from them are equally important, as well as the capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change and the ability to transform the entire urban system. The book explores how the resilience journey for coastal cities in particular encompasses using scientific knowledge but also the knowledge of citizens and practitioners. Measures and strategies on different scales are needed, from national scale all the way down to neighbourhood, street level and building level. Representing the holistic nature of climate resilience, this collection contains unique insights from leading scientists and practitioners in areas of expertise such as engineering, social sciences and urban design. It will be a valuable resource for scholars, students, practitioners and policy makers interested in the development of resilient and sustainable urban environments.

This book describes the urgent challenge faced by cities worldwide to become resilient to climate change impacts. This challenge goes further than the ability to resist the impacts of extreme weather conditions. Coping with climate impacts and the ability to recover from them are equally important, as well as the capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change and the ability to transform the entire urban system. The book explores how the resilience journey for coastal cities in particular encompasses using scientific knowledge but also the knowledge of citizens and practitioners. Measures and strategies on different scales are needed, from national scale all the way down to neighbourhood, street level and building level. Representing the holistic nature of climate resilience, this collection contains unique insights from leading scientists and practitioners in areas of expertise such as engineering, social sciences and urban design. It will be a valuable resource for scholars, students, practitioners and policy makers interested in the development of resilient and sustainable urban environments.

This book addresses the importance of cultural values, local knowledge and identity in building community resilience in place based contexts. There is a growing impetus among policy makers and practitioners to support and empower capacities of communities under changing climatic conditions. Despite this there is little systematic understanding of why approaches work at local levels or not and what makes some communities resilient and others less so. Europe is typically thought to be well equipped for coping with the effects of a changing climate - because of its moderate climate, its manifold urban-industrialized regions, it’s typically highly skilled population, its successes in science and technology and its advanced climate change policies. However, there is a growing need to understand the effects culture has on communal resiliency and for decision makers and planners to pay attention to historical and cultural characteristics and the complexityof contextualized local conditions to enable successful and durable implementation of climate change policies, programs and measures. This book will be a valuable resource for researchers, students, practitioners and policy makers interested in facilitating sustainable, resilient communities.

In this book, climate change and digital transformation are explored as key strategic drivers for the contemporary practices of water utility companies. These drivers seem to be separate, but clearly, they are not.The recent weather anomalies in water stressed countries are discussed, which have been breaking records and become an elevated risk to water assets. In parallel, the book examines a contextual proposition that the concept of the fourth industrial revolution applied to the water sector, Water 4.0, assists with the water supply decentralisation and sustainability, in particular climate resilience. It further suggests that the implementation of an Asset Management System with reference to the ISO 55001 standard is a useful tool in this process.

This book provides an accessible overview of how efforts to combat climate change and social inequalities should be tackled simultaneously. In the context of the climate emergency, the impacts of extreme events can already be felt around the world. The book centres on five case studies from the Global South, Latin America, Pacific Islands, Africa, and Asia with each one focused on climate justice, resilience, and community responses towards a just transition. The book will be an invaluable reference for advanced undergraduates and postgraduate students, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in environmental studies, urban planning, geography, social science, international development, and disciplines that focus on the social dimensions of climate change.

This book examines the pathways to decarbonising African cities, structured around strategies and applications in renewable energy, waste management, healthcare, telecommunication, education and governance reconfigurations for Petro-cities. Throughout the book the authors highlight infrastructural, governance and policy approaches to drive decarbonisation. Opening with chapters focused on propositions for solar urban planning and scope for decarbonisation in waste management the book then moves on to examine innovative strategies for a low-carbon healthcare sector. The authors then discuss the use of hybrid power systems at remote telecommunication sites, their deployment on university campuses, and how this can be optimised to reduce carbon emissions. Further chapters explore government, private sector and civil society actions for decarbonising Kenyan cities and an overview of the political economic choices for decarbonising Petro-cities. Finally, closing chapters propose mechanisms for translating COP26 takeaways to decarbonisation policies and a low-carbon framework for African cities.

In Asia and the Pacific, climate change is now a well-recognised risk to water security but responses to this risk are either under reported, or continue to be guided by the incremental or business as usual approaches. Water policy still tends to remain too narrow and fragmented, compared to the multi-sectoral and cross-scalar nature of risks to water security. What’s more, current water security debates tend to be framed in discipline specific or academic ways, failing to understand decision making and problem-solving contexts within which policy actors and partitioners have to operate on a daily basis. Much of the efforts to date has focussed on assessing and predicting the risks in the context of increasing levels of uncertainty. There is still limited analysis of emerging practices of risks assessment and mitigation in different contexts in Asia and the Pacific.Going beyond the national scales and focussing on several socio-ecological zones, this book captures stories written by engaged scholars on recent attempts to develop cross-sectoral and cross-scaler solutions to assess and mitigate risks to water security across Asia and the Pacific. Identifying lessons from successes and failures, it highlights management and strategic lessons that water and climate leaders of Asia and the Pacific need to consider. This book showcases reflective and analytical thought pieces written by key actors in the climate and water spaces. Several critical socio-ecological zones are covered  – from Pakistan in the west to pacific islands in the east. The chapters clearly identify strategies for improvement based on the analysis of emerging responses to climate risks to water security and gaps in current practices. The book will include an editorial introduction and a final synthesis chapter to ensure clear articulation of common themes and to highlight the overall messages of the book.

The book "Building Climate Resilient Communities along Africa's Coasts: The Role of Mangroves" highlights the crucial role mangrove ecosystems play in enhancing climate resilience for coastal communities in Africa, which face rising sea levels, intensified storms, and habitat loss. With Africa’s extensive coastline and dependence on coastal resources, mangroves are essential for protecting communities from environmental stressors, preserving biodiversity, and supporting livelihoods. Each chapter focuses on a specific coastal region in Africa, addressing local challenges, successful case studies, and strategies for integrating mangrove conservation into resilience planning.The book takes an integrative, community-centered approach, combining detailed analyses of mangroves with case studies from across Africa’s coasts. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique ecological and cultural contexts of different regions. Local community engagement in mangrove restoration is covered, highlighting the value of traditional knowledge alongside modern conservation methods. The book also advocates for collaboration among governments, NGOs, and local stakeholders to develop effective policies. By offering actionable recommendations and showcasing the socio-economic benefits of healthy mangrove ecosystems, the book serves as a practical guide for decision-makers and practitioners, aiming to empower communities and inspire action in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation.

This book explores the intersection of climate resilience, livelihoods, and sustainability in various sectors – from forestry to fisheries and agriculture – within the global South. The author provides a comprehensive examination of how climate change impacts these communities, the adaptive strategies they employ, and the policy frameworks necessary for promoting resilience. Through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates ecological, economic, and social dimensions, this book is an essential resource for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in fields relating to fishery, forestry and agriculture in the global South.

This book explores the intersection of climate resilience, livelihoods, and sustainability in various sectors – from forestry to fisheries and agriculture – within the global South. The author provides a comprehensive examination of how climate change impacts these communities, the adaptive strategies they employ, and the policy frameworks necessary for promoting resilience. Through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates ecological, economic, and social dimensions, this book is an essential resource for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in fields relating to fishery, forestry and agriculture in the global South.

This book adopts a multidisciplinary approach to explore the intricate relationship between water, energy, and societal well-being. It combines environmental, economic, social, and technological perspectives to comprehensively analyse water's crucial role in energy generation and its essential function in supporting life. This book highlights the need for integrated strategies to address water management and energy production challenges to encourage a holistic view of these interconnected issues. The authors provide a nuanced narrative on water's pivotal role in energy security, resource conservation and sustainable development through evidence-based insights, theoretical frameworks, and global case studies. The authors argue for the need for a re-evaluation of practices and policies to achieve a balanced coexistence between human activities and natural resources. This book serves as a resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, offering innovative solutions and methodologies for addressing the complexities of the water-energy nexus in the pursuit of sustainability.

This book investigates the multifaceted role of agroforestry in promoting sustainability and resilience in agricultural systems, with a particular focus on the potential of carbon credits and markets to incentivize these systems. The approach taken in this book is interdisciplinary, drawing from ecological science, agricultural economics, policy analysis, and social sciences. Each chapter provides a comprehensive examination of key themes, with a blend of theoretical insights and practical examples, highlighting successful case studies and identifying pathways for overcoming barriers to adoption. By engaging with a range of stakeholders including farmers, policymakers, environmentalists, and community organizations, this book aims to foster a dialogue about how agroforestry can be integrated into broader sustainability frameworks. The author argues that agroforestry not only enhances ecosystem services but also contributes to carbon sequestration efforts, presenting an opportunity to align agricultural practices with climate goals. By exploring the intersection of agroforestry and carbon markets, this book seeks to inform and inspire action toward a more sustainable future.

This open access book provides a comprehensive analysis of the resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to climate change, drawing on a unique and extensive empirical investigation involving more than 10,000 Italian firms. It examines corporate perceptions of climate-related risks, the adaptation and mitigation strategies they adopt, their governance mechanisms and organizational characteristics.The book offers an overview of key concepts in corporate sustainability, with particular emphasis on the evolving regulatory and policy framework of the European Union (EU). It reviews the extensive academic literature on business climate strategies and on corporate governance mechanisms oriented toward sustainability, and introduces an original classification of corporate responses in terms of investment strategies, capturing firms’ levels of preparedness for climate change. In doing so, the book adopts a double materiality perspective, focusing both on the inside-out impacts of corporate strategies and the outside-in financial implications, with particular attention to green finance. A dedicated deep dive explores the agrifood sector in Southern Italy, which is especially exposed to physical climate risks.The book concludes with actionable recommendations and guidelines for stakeholders to strengthen SMEs’ climate resilience and enhance their contribution to the sustainable transition. By linking climate-risk perception, organizational drivers, and strategic climate responses and outcomes, the research provides an integrated perspective that enriches academic discourse and informs managerial and policy decision-making.This research is part of the “Growing Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable (GRINS)” project, funded under the Next Generation EU National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).Data were collected in 2024, and the writing of the book was completed in September 2025.

This book examines the nexus between livelihood capital and resilience across Africa, offering a regional perspective on how people cope with climate change, conflict, and economic uncertainty. Drawing on the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, it explains how natural, human, social, physical, and financial capital interact to shape absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities. Through a comparative analysis of North, East, West, Central, and Southern Africa, the book shows that resilience is context specific, shaped by governance systems, ecological conditions, and access to resources.By integrating case studies with policy analysis, the book highlights pathways for strengthening resilience through inclusive governance and strategic investment in livelihood assets. It emphasizes that resilience is not merely survival, but the ability to bounce forward toward equitable and sustainable futures. Through a synthesis of regional lessons and proffering practical recommendations, the book serves as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers engaged in development and climate adaptation across diverse social and ecological contexts in Africa.

The effects of climate change are beginning to impact water quantity and water quality across the globe. However, there is no single action or strategy that any government can implement to ensure a community is resilient to climate change-related extreme weather events while also protecting the natural system. Instead, Robert Brears argues, climate resilient water resources management requires integrated, forward-thinking policies that are not only adaptable to changing climatic conditions but also seek to maximise economic and social welfare in an equitable manner while ensuring the continued health of their ecosystems. This book addresses how several levels of government in different geographical locations, with varying climates, incomes, and lifestyles, have implemented a variety of policies and technologies to ensure communities are resilient to climatic risks, and how these policies preserve and enhance the natural system and its associated ecosystem’s health.