Strategic localism for an uncertain world: A postdevelopment approach to climate change adaptation

Adaptation to climate change is being planned and implemented across the developing world. As billions of development aid dollars are being mobilised around this new theme there are risks that adaptation efforts of the development sector will result in familiar problems. In this paper we draw upon postdevelopment perspectives that critically consider development aid and the role of the development sector to scrutinise emerging approaches to adaptation. We suggest that a postdevelopment approach to adaptation contributes a much-needed analysis of the agendas that are shaping adaptation discourses and helps us to see nascent possibilities for adaptation that are already unfolding in diverse localities.

► Development financing is increasingly available for adaptation to climate change. ► Postdevelopment perspectives scrutinise the role of the development sector. ► A postdevelopment approach to adaptation contributes. ► A much-needed analysis of the agendas that are shaping adaptation discourses. ► A way of seeing possibilities for adaptation already unfolding in diverse localities.