Klimatanpassning i praktiken. En studie om ansvarsfördelning, samverkan och kapacitet i kommunerna Lerum, Kungsbacka och Mölndal.

Abstract

This bachelor´s thesis examines the work with climate adaptation related to cloudbursts and high-water flows in three medium-sized municipalities: Lerum, Kungsbacka, and Mölndal. As climate changes progress, the risk of extreme weather events increases. This places municipalities in an increasingly important position in planning and developing communities capable of managing a changing climate. The study aims to deepen the understanding of how municipal officials perceive the distribution of responsibility, collaboration, and capacity in climate adaptation work. The study is based on a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews with officials working with strategic planning, water and sewage management, and climate adaptation. The theoretical framework draws on the concept of responsibility distribution, collaboration, and capacity. The results show that organizational conditions differ between the municipalities. Some have dedicated functions and more structured approaches to climate adaptation, while others rely more heavily on the engagement of individual employees. A central finding is that the distribution of responsibility is often perceived as unclear, which risks causing climate adaptation issues to fall between administrative units and not be prioritized. The results also indicate that while knowledge-based capacity is high, the work is constrained by unclear priorities and limited time allocated, and conflicting legislation is highlighted as recurring challenges. The study also discusses the importance of both internal and external networks for collaboration and knowledge exchange. In summary, the study shows that climate adaptation requires clear organizational structure, strong prioritization, and integration of climate adaptation into municipalities during regular operation.