Participatory methods applied in adaptation planning in Kalundborg Municipality

Kalundborg Municipality, located on the western coast of Zealand, Denmark, has together with the Danish Board of Technology (DBT) carried out a comprehensive and path-breaking participatory approach, involving local stakeholders and citizens, to prepare for a municipal Climate Change Adaptation Plan. The participatory effort was part of the EU-INTERREG project “BaltCICA” on climate adaptation in the Baltic Sea Region running from 2009 – 2012 and included, among other things, a two-day scenario-workshop and a citizens´ summit. In spring 2014, the proposed Climate Change Adaptation Plan for Kalundborg was introduced to the political agenda of the municipal council to be finally adopted. This timing allowed for a unique opportunity to study whether and how the participatory process influenced the final adaptation plan. In this regard, this report has a practical focus, presenting experiences and procedural stages. The emphasis is on how the municipality has been able to incorporate local views and suggestions into their short- and long-term adaptation planning and policy work. Adaptation actions and the actual implementation of the plan have yet to come as of 2016.