A Summary of Adaptation Pathways Approaches

This technical summary provides a comprehensive overview of the concept and application of Adaptation Pathways for communities facing climate change impacts. It aims to provide insights to planners and public officials about the Adaptation Pathways approach as a strategic and flexible method for climate adaptation planning, emphasizing practical steps, benefits, and challenges, in particular those which may be relevant to small coastal settings. A key benefit is the ability to plan based on triggers determined by the community which provides flexibility to accommodate changing conditions and future uncertainties without reliance on consensus around climate change projections. The Adaptation Pathways approach is a structured method to develop and implement sequences of adaptive actions that respond to changing environmental conditions and risks over time. It combines empirical data, socio-economic analysis, and stakeholder engagement to characterize threats and vulnerabilities, set clear objectives, and design multiple potential adaptation routes. The approach is based on defining specific triggers that signal when a shift from one action or pathway to another is needed, thereby maintaining resilience under uncertainty.

Impact/Purpose

Adaptation Pathways provide a valuable approach for managing climate risks in coastal communities by enabling flexible, forward-looking planning that accommodates uncertainty and change. The approach facilitates stakeholder collaboration, clarifies decision points, and helps balance trade-offs among adaptation options. However, it also presents challenges such as the need for detailed data, continuous monitoring, and institutional capacity to implement dynamic plans. This summary includes examples from diverse case studies from small coastal communities that illustrate practical applications and visualization techniques that support decision-making.

Citation

Hamilton, A., M. Ryan, E. Eisenhauer, R. Kashuba, AND C. May. A Summary of Adaptation Pathways Approaches. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/S-25/239, 2025.

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