1. Introduction

Climate change poses a significant and growing threat to communities around the globe. As temperatures continue to rise and destabilize climate systems, the risk to human health, infrastructure, and the environment grows. Northern communities in particular face an increased risk. For the context of this paper, we use latitude to define “northern”, referencing those communities that fall within the region located 66.5 degrees north of the equator.

As a result of Arctic amplification, warming is occurring at an accelerated rate in the north, resulting in more pronounced impacts. Extreme weather events, changing seasonality, permafrost thaw, loss of sea ice and changing ice dynamics are causing significant damage and destruction. For instance, the loss of sea ice is negatively impacting hunting practices and disrupting subsistence-based lifestyles, while changing ice dynamics are affecting travel and access (e.g., unreliable ice roads) [1,2]. As such, northern residents are experiencing considerable impacts to their livelihoods, culture, and mental and physical health [3].

Given these intensifying impacts, climate adaptation is essential in northern communities. Climate adaptation is generally understood as the shifting of practices, systems and decision-making in order to moderate harm. It includes both structural (e.g., seawalls, dykes), non-structural (e.g., increased setbacks, altered land use), and ecosystem-based (beach nourishment, wetland preservation) approaches. While effective adaptation necessitates action from all levels of government, the local level is often understood as being primarily responsible [4]. This is largely due to local governments being closest to the impacts, equipped with a contextual understanding of their communities’ unique characteristics, and able to implement local interventions, often through urban planning mechanisms.

This short opinion paper explores the unique challenges of implementing climate adaptation in northern communities. First, we highlight adaptation progress made thus far, then discuss several barriers faced by northern communities that work to constrain efforts. We conclude by laying out various recommendations for strengthening the adaptation response.

2. Adaptation progress and challenges

In response to climate impacts, communities in the north have begun to pursue adaptation goals. Efforts have been made by proactive local leaders to modify practices, draft policies, and develop programs tailored to community context. For instance, in Alaska, some local governments have mainstreamed adaptation content within development plans, while others have created standalone plans for managed retreat or relocation [5,6]. Municipalities in Norway have been mandated to assess their climate risks, and integrate adaptation considerations into land use plans [7]. In Canada, local governments in Nunavut are implementing strategies such as shoreline erosion protection and climate change education initiatives [Labbe et al., 2017], while in Yukon, some communities have developed their own climate adaptation plans [8].

These undertakings demonstrate an awareness of, and commitment to addressing climate impacts. Yet, research characterises adaptation in the north as being “in its infancy” overall ([2], p. 6). For instance, research from Ford et al. [2] identified significant gaps in climate risks being identified and addressed within northern communities, while a similar study from Canosa et al. [5] indicated little evidence of forward progress, with no noticeable increase in adaptation efforts documented in recent years.

While adaptation lag is not unique to the north, communities here do face unique challenges that constrain action. For instance, northern communities are often remotely located, with small population size and limited tax base. As a result, the challenge of resourcing adaptation initiatives is particularly salient. Northern communities must also contend with extreme environmental conditions, as disproportionate rates of warming result in intensifying climate impacts.

Lack of political will is also an issue in the north, with decision-makers generally prioritizing the acute, current needs of the community, rather than long-term, less-immediate challenges, such as climate adaptation. Political will is also hampered by a lack of climate studies and scientific knowledge, which limits understanding of risk and the ability of decision-makers to plan effectively [3,9]. In addition, the uniqueness of local conditions and context play an important role in determining which adaptation strategies may be mobilized; however, limited scholarly attention has been paid to investigating adaptation policies explicitly designed for the remote and harsh climate conditions of northern communities [9].

3. Bolstering adaptation in northern communities

As temperatures in the north continue to increase, it’s critical that communities are well-prepared to face intensifying impacts. Thus, current efforts must be ramped up in order to ensure a response commensurate with the risk. Within the literature, scholars highlight a variety of tactics that can be harnessed to bolster adaptation in northern communities; here, we hone in on framing, flexibility, and knowledge co-production.

Framing has been identified as an effective method for increasing engagement and support for climate action [10]. It can be understood as the process through which actors shape public perception of climate change, by emphasizing different characteristics or aspects (e.g., economic, health, environmental) [9]. Depending on the frame applied, actors in northern communities can leverage this approach to increase understanding of risk and urgency, legitimatize political action, or incentivize a climate response. For instance, in Tromsø, Norway, decision-makers have framed climate change as an opportunity for economic growth, which has catalyzed ambitious climate action. Since 2019, the city has worked to establish itself as the Arctic capital. One of the pillars of this effort has been a rebranding to present Tromsø as a leader in local climate change initiatives, including aligning the city’s identity with climate resilience, developing robust climate goals, and showcasing its climate achievements. In doing so, the city administration has aimed to attract skilled professionals, investment, and serve as a model of climate efforts for smaller municipalities in the region, gaining international recognition [9].

Within the literature, Greenlandic fisheries are noted for their aptitude for climate adaptation. This is largely attributed to their high degree of flexibility. For instance, they demonstrate a strong willingness to change approaches and techniques, and an affinity for experimentation and learning [11]. Flexibility – which can be understood as the ability to work within uncertainty, switch between adaptation strategies, and adjust plans, rules and boundaries in accordance to conditions – has been emphasized within the literature as a key facilitator of successful adaptation [12]. Researchers have identified several strategies for strengthening flexibility that may be useful to decision-makers in northern communities. For example, establishing a process for ongoing monitoring, review and revision of institutions can facilitate modification and switching between adaptation strategies. Similarly, increasing the integration of local and Indigenous knowledge into adaptation planning allows for dynamic problem-solving, learning, and the development of locally-tailored strategies [3].

Although promising methods exist to improve adaptation processes, the lack of practical scientific knowledge remains a significant obstacle in northern communities. Decision-makers point to a scarcity of research and climate information, and report challenges with accessing data that is understandable and applicable [3]. Bolstering adaptation in northern communities will therefore require greater efforts directed towards carrying out northern-specific research intended to inform and support adaptation policy and practice. Particular attention should be paid to developing usable science through community involvement and the co-production of knowledge [13]. Knowledge co-production – which is often described as the collaborative process of bringing together a variety of knowledge types and sources to resolve a problem – involves local actors actively framing, informing, designing and implementing interventions to address climate challenges [Robards et al., 2018]. This approach has been recognized as key within adaptation planning in northern communities, as it can facilitate a response that is grounded in local and traditional knowledge, and tailored to the unique social, cultural and physical context.

4. Conclusion

Climate impacts will continue to intensify in the north in the near term, jeopardising the lives and livelihoods of its residents. As a result, a comprehensive and robust adaptation approach is essential. Northern communities across a variety of countries have made strides to respond to climate impacts, implementing a myriad of different adaptation strategies in order to moderate negative effects. Yet, there is a need to urgently ramp up this work in order to ensure preparedness. Leveraging key concepts from the literature – such as framing, flexibility, and knowledge – may be valuable avenues for researchers and local government decision-makers to pursue in order to strengthen adaptation responses.