Is local climate change adaptation [CCA] inclusive for/adapted to everybody? : A qualitative study and intersectional analysis of local CCA within Stockholm County

Abstract: Stockholm County is currently implementing climate change adaptation, making it essential to distinguish the priorities being made. Previous research has suggested that social dimensions of climate change adaptation in cities, especially in the Global North, are largely ignored. Therefore, this thesis aims to identify how social dimension issues of current local Climate Change Adaptation [CCA] in Stockholm County is perceived by CCA-practitioners and provide an overall understanding of how current local Climate Change Adaptation [CCA] materializes in Stockholm County. Five civil servants working as environmental planners/strategists were interviewed and part of a semi-structured interview study, which was analyzed through thematic analysis and an intersectional framework. The results suggest that current local CCA prioritizes specific climate hazards (Floods and different erosion- related hazards), certain buildings (new developments), and certain evaluations (technical). In addition, heatwaves, existing built environments, and social dimension assessments were shown to be of less focus in current local CCA. The results from the intersectional franmework showed that specific identity categories are considered in certain climate hazards, specifically in heatwaves that have clear health outcomes compared to the other hazards. It also shows that gender seems to be the least explored identity category of vulnerability in current local CCA-practice.