domains of behavioral changes can be identified before or after collecting stories of
changes. These domains are useful for refining metrics of adaptation indicators.. In
fact, although attributes of individual behavioral changes may vary widely, both
within and among communities, they can always be located in relatively stable
domains of changes. Thirdly, although claims about the generalization of changes’
characteristics must be tempered by consideration of the contextual socioeconomic
factors, behavioral theory can clearly add value to the existing adaptation M&E
framework.
14.5 Implications for Policy, Practice and Research
14.5.1 Improving Adaptation Policy with Behavioral Theory
and Models
Adaption and economic policies are subject to a number of biophysical, social and
psychological influences, which future policies must consider. Thus, there are
urgent needs for governments to improve the application of social research to
enhance and evaluate policy, and measure longer-term trends, if adaptation policies, plans and programs are to achieve positive outcomes (i.e. enhance adaptation
capacities and economic development). Behavioral change theory is one of the
most promising elements of social sciences in terms of potential for improving
policy outcomes. Indeed, changing individual and group behavior appears to be
crucial for the effective delivery of policy outcomes, particularly in the context of
climate change adaptation and mitigation. Therefore, designing adaptation policies
that incorporate relevant aspects of behavioral change theory into biophysical
frameworks will improve their outcomes by helping to ensure that adaptive behavior is initiated and maintained, while reversion to unhelpful behavior patterns is
avoided.
14.5.2 Fitting the Human Behavior Framework into
Adaptation Works
In light of the above results, current procedures for formulating and implementing
adaptation options and strategies need to be revisited to tackle food insecurity more
effectively in the face of climate change. To date, most adaptation programs in
developing countries, from national to local, have neglected the behavior component of vulnerability analysis and adaptation action. Of course, the socioeconomic
context of vulnerability is addressed together with the environmental context, but
questions remain about whether current behaviors of community members are
supportive of desired biophysical adaptation outcomes. There is therefore an urgent
266
J. Somda et al.
changes. These domains are useful for refining metrics of adaptation indicators.. In
fact, although attributes of individual behavioral changes may vary widely, both
within and among communities, they can always be located in relatively stable
domains of changes. Thirdly, although claims about the generalization of changes’
characteristics must be tempered by consideration of the contextual socioeconomic
factors, behavioral theory can clearly add value to the existing adaptation M&E
framework.
14.5 Implications for Policy, Practice and Research
14.5.1 Improving Adaptation Policy with Behavioral Theory
and Models
Adaption and economic policies are subject to a number of biophysical, social and
psychological influences, which future policies must consider. Thus, there are
urgent needs for governments to improve the application of social research to
enhance and evaluate policy, and measure longer-term trends, if adaptation policies, plans and programs are to achieve positive outcomes (i.e. enhance adaptation
capacities and economic development). Behavioral change theory is one of the
most promising elements of social sciences in terms of potential for improving
policy outcomes. Indeed, changing individual and group behavior appears to be
crucial for the effective delivery of policy outcomes, particularly in the context of
climate change adaptation and mitigation. Therefore, designing adaptation policies
that incorporate relevant aspects of behavioral change theory into biophysical
frameworks will improve their outcomes by helping to ensure that adaptive behavior is initiated and maintained, while reversion to unhelpful behavior patterns is
avoided.
14.5.2 Fitting the Human Behavior Framework into
Adaptation Works
In light of the above results, current procedures for formulating and implementing
adaptation options and strategies need to be revisited to tackle food insecurity more
effectively in the face of climate change. To date, most adaptation programs in
developing countries, from national to local, have neglected the behavior component of vulnerability analysis and adaptation action. Of course, the socioeconomic
context of vulnerability is addressed together with the environmental context, but
questions remain about whether current behaviors of community members are
supportive of desired biophysical adaptation outcomes. There is therefore an urgent
266
J. Somda et al.