Sea-level rise adaptation measures in local communities of Zhejiang Province, China

China is a country that is particularly negatively affected by the challenge of sea-level rise (SLR), which will increasingly threaten the country's coastlines. As a result, it is vital that China's local communities adapt to these impacts. This paper assesses how local decision-makers in coastal communities of Zhejiang Province perceive SLR adaptation and how the decision-makers act on these perceptions. We also investigate the effect of an information brochure on local decision-makers' knowledge, awareness, and policy actions regarding SLR adaptation. The results show that decision-makers located along the Zhejiang coast have little knowledge of climate change and SLR, and they do not place a high priority on the issue of SLR. While providing local decision-makers with relevant information could increase their knowledge and awareness of the need to act, it will not necessarily lead to action.

► Coastal communities are under threat to sea-level rise. ► We examine how local decision-makers perceive and respond to sea-level rise issue. ► The effects of information on decision-makers' opinions and actions are tested. ► Local decision-makers do not place a high priority on the sea-level rise issue. ► Information can raise the awareness, but it does not lead to action.