Tailoring evidence-based local adaptation policies for climate change – an urban case study of Košice

Abstract

The perceptions of climate change have been studied from various perspectives, with considerable effort being made to identify the factors which contribute to variations in awareness among individuals. Public awareness is a key element when tackling complex issues which require compliance across a wide range of sectors and individuals. Our research focuses on climate change awareness and participation among different socioeconomic groups in the town of Košice, Slovakia. The research is based on a questionnaire survey conducted between 2019 and 2020. The sample of participants was adjusted to reflect the sociodemographic structure of Košice’s residents, and four types of respondents were identified using latent class cluster analysis. These groups were found to differ in the degree of vulnerability to adverse conditions caused by climate change. This study sheds light on how different groups of citizens perceive the threat of climate change impacts on their everyday lives and how they act to adapt. The findings can be applied by policymakers at both national and local levels when designing and proposing socially just measures which reflect the needs of all major groups of citizens.

Keywords

• climate change awareness
• urban adaptation policy
• citizen engagement