The purpose of this paper is to address and raise awareness of the social dimension of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change, laying particular emphasis on:
- the social impacts of EbA on a global national and regional level and local communities, and;
- social considerations in designing and implementing EbA.
By highlighting appropriate methods and measures by which these issues can be addressed, the paper will provide information to facilitate successful EbA implementation and thereby the delivery of the expected benefits for local communities as well as for the authorities coping with climate change-related challenges and nature protection issues. Insights will be drawn from relevant literature and studies as well as from the on-site experiences of practitioners from around the globe. On this basis, recommendations for policymakers will be provided on how to best pursue EbA in the future considering different social factors and the diverse (in particular social) benefits EbA can generate, and its ability to simultaneously address multiple policy objectives and societal challenges.
