Collaborative governance for managing water in a changing climate: a systems thinking approach

Proposed completion date
2029

Research objective
To develop a framework for collaborative governance for addressing climate adaptation strategies for water.

Research question
How can water governance be improved to advance efforts in protecting water from climate change impacts?

Benefits to the water sector
Water is perhaps the most vulnerable sector to the wide-ranging impacts of climate change, whilst also a fundamental resource required for sustainably functioning ecosystems, human health, and the production of food, energy and transportation services. Effective climate change adaptation strategies are widely acknowledged to require meaningful and genuine collaboration between different levels of government, communities, Indigenous peoples and other stakeholders to achieve sustainable and fair outcomes. This is true for water management. 

Previous research identified that climate change exposes weaknesses in water governance and management systems and argued that as water policies involve representatives across disciplines, collaboration is required to pool resources to develop appropriate adaptation strategies. Furthermore, research has also shown that systems thinking, where the whole and its fit and relationship to the environment is the primary concern, is essential for water governance processes.

However, collaborative governance is commonly established on an ad-hoc basis, and, as a result, outcomes mirror the viewpoints and experiences of the stakeholders leading the process. A framework, incorporating collaboration and systems thinking principles to guide water governance processes could help address this misalignment. This research aims to develop such a framework suitable for the development of adaptation strategies to support efficient and effective water management.

Findings to date
Research to date has reviewed appropriate adaptation strategies for protecting water quality from climate change  impacts in South East Queensland. The study has identified a significant knowledge gap in understanding the impacts that climate change is having on our water quality, and sufficient adaptation strategies that can be implemented to address the issues. The findings of a literature review, a policy review, and key informant interviews have been triangulated to identify three key recommendations. These recommendations include the need for significant institutional reform, transformational adaptation strategies, and education and awareness in the water industry. To address the need for institutional reform, research is now focusing on how governance frameworks can be improved to advance efforts in protecting water from climate change impacts.

Papers published and in preparation
Bartlett, J. A., & Dedekorkut-Howes, A. (2023). Adaptation strategies for climate change impacts on water quality: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 14(3), 651-675. https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2022.279 

Bartlett, J. A., & Dedekorkut-Howes, A. In preparation. Adapting to the impacts of climate change on water quality: the water professional perspective.