A hybrid governance framework for climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Australia

The growing contribution of climate change to disasters is recognized worldwide. The integration of climate change adaptation (CCA) in disaster risk reduction (DRR) is crucial to ensure benefits for societies and the environment. This paper considers Hybrid Governance (HG) as a valuable framework towards the CCA&DRR integration efforts. HG is a set of subjects, goals and mechanisms constituting hybrid practices, which crosses state-market-community triad and is directed by the involved actors. The paper proposes HG as a main framework for exploring CCA&DRR integration in Australia, a climate and climate change prone country, with insights from the Local Government Areas (LGAs) located in the Hunter Valley region, New South Wales (NSW). The paper calls for further research efforts which account the variety of actors to explore relational mechanisms and actions in HG of CCA&DRR integration in the Hunter valley and worldwide. The paper will provide an initial, but robust background for framing the multi-actors characteristics of CCA&DRR integration and for driving scholars and policy-makers towards a better understanding of governance in CCA&DRR integration at multiple scales and levels.