Governance challenges for the adaptation to sea‐level rise in the Canary Islands: a multilevel approach

Abstract

Island territories are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to their geographical isolation and environmental characteristics, as highlighted in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report. In the Canary Islands, sea‐level rise is a critical impact of climate change, affecting several coastal ecosystems, including beaches, dunes, and wetlands, as well as infrastructure and residential areas, which in turn significantly impacts tourism and housing. This study examines the existing climate change legislation and norms, focusing particularly on the islands’ adaptation to sea‐level rise as a socio‐ecological system. It also analyses the intentionality and substantiality of these measures within a multilevel governance framework. Accordingly, this research provides an initial approach to constructing and studying the main governance network concerning sea‐level rise in the Canary Islands through a combination of experiences, events, and mechanisms. Conflicts were identified between legislation and the implementation of adaptation measures, where the timescale for the latter is not aligned with the climate emergency. The study highlights coordination gaps that hinder effective adaptive management in the face of climate change. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced inter‐institutional collaboration and propose mechanisms to harmonise policies, mitigate conflicts, and improve governance. Strengthening governance capacities in the Canary Islands could provide a model for other island territories facing similar challenges and contribute to global efforts to address the climate emergency and ensure sustainable development in vulnerable coastal regions. This is the first study to focus on the coastal governance in the Canary Islands in relation to sea‐level rise.