Paper short abstract:

This paper is based on analysis of local responses to the climate change in the Czech Republic. We analyse transfer of ideas, local practices and their tranformations together with potential conflicts that may arise on the local level between different actors and the logics they apply.

Paper long abstract:

This paper presents the first findings from ongoing research project that seeks to analyse local responses and adaptation strategies to climate change in the Czech Republic. Urban adaptations to climate change are a new topic in the country, with only a few projects realised in the past years, and with policy documents just being formulated. Empirically, the project is anchored in case studies and focus groups in six selected urban areas or small municipalities (the research is now taking place and will continue till 2019). First we observe the transfers of ideas and practices from other contexts and their transformations occurring in the process, and second we seek to map (potential) conflicts that may arise on the local level between different actors and the logics they apply (e.g. economic profit searched in the adaptation strategies versus seeking environmental justice). Concentration on cultural/ideological context of urban climate change adaptations can help to understand the variety of strategies adopted in different cities and to follow how and why municipalities select between different options. Finally, we analyse individual strategies and perception of climate change by local inhabitants in different areas.