Social implications of managed retreat as adaptation

Managed retreat has emerged as a climate adaptation strategy that involves the relocation of citizens living in places vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Displacing people from their homes has far-reaching social implications, such as loss of identity, dislocation and loss of community. It can also reinforce colonialist power structures and racial discrimination.

Nº 32


  • Climate & Atmosphere
  • Climate Change Adaption
  • Afforestation/Reforestation
some attempts made
past case
Region-1
Region-2
Region-3
Region-4
ongoing case
no attempts made

None

Social implications of managed retreat as adaptation

Managed retreat has emerged as a climate adaptation strategy that involves the relocation of citizens living in places vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Displacing people from their homes has far-reaching social implications, such as loss of identity, dislocation and loss of community. It can also reinforce colonialist power structures and racial discrimination.

In the United States, several managed retreat programmes have been implemented to relocate people from floodplains as a climate adaptation strategy. A case study of eight such programmes found that buyouts can exacerbate existing social inequalities, as decisions are often politically motivated and based on a cost-benefit trade-off that can lead to disproportionate displacement of low-income or minority communities, perpetuating historical patterns of social injustice.

  • Multilple (effects disconected from each other)

Community self-determination, sound planning, cooperative decision-making, protection of land rights, maintenance of social ties and attention to intersecting justice(s) are critical success factors. In addition, anticipatory rather than reactive resettlement programmes have proven to be more successful.

Ajibade, I., Sullivan, M., Lower, C., Yarina, L., & Reilly, A. (2022). Are managed retreat programs successful and just? A global mapping of success typologies, justice dimensions, and trade-offs. Global Environmental Change, 76, 102576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2022.102576

Siders, A. R. (2019). Social justice implications of US managed retreat buyout programs. Climatic change, 152(2), 239-257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-018-2272-5

Siders, A. R., & Ajibade, I. (2021). Introduction: Managed retreat and environmental justice in a changing climate. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 11(3), 287-293. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-021-00700-6

<— Back