Sustainable Adaptation to Climate Change

Wolf, Franziska (2025) Sustainable Adaptation to Climate Change. Doctoral thesis (PhD), Manchester Metropolitan University in Collaboration with the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany.

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Abstract

This PhD thesis compiled as part of the PhD by Published Works (Route 1) Programme at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, provides the context for the author’s research portfolio consisting of a total of 13 publications, hereof six published before and seven published after enrolment. The thesis serves to explain the conceptual foundation and elaborate on the relationships between a set of themes within adaptation science under the overarching topic of sustainable adaptation to climate change. It also offers a critical reflection of the works published and gives some directions for future adaptation research. Sustainable adaptation may be described as a complex, context-specific and multi-scalar undertaking which needs to be designed in a thorough, inclusive, and equitable manner to avoid maladaptation and disclose potential limits to adaptation actions where climate impacts cannot be avoided anymore. The author’s research papers address some key dimensions of sustainable adaptation that are key to disclosing context-specific vulnerabilities of climate-sensitive sectors and vulnerable groups, providing conceptual ideas and definitions, highlighting the value of local and traditional knowledge and pointing to potential risks associated with non-achievement of the global goals, i.e. the SDGs that were envisaged to put the world on a sustainable development path. In line with Manchester Metropolitan University’s PhD by Published Works (Route 1) Programme, the author’s PhD project thus contributed to adaptation science through a series of publications addressing important components for sustainably adapting to progressing climate change.