Can multilevel governance facilitate coastal climate change adaptation in Jamaica?

The paper examines how multilevel governance can facilitate climate change adaptation in Jamaica's coastal-marine environments. Using a case study approach and Social Network Analysis (SNA), the authors identify the roles of various state and non-state actors. Preliminary findings highlight the importance of bridging organizations, such as the Department of Fisheries (DoFish), and the potential of the newly established Climate Change Focal Point Network to strengthen horizontal coordination among government agencies. The study argues for the need to strengthen vertical ties between national and local levels and to leverage public-private partnerships to enhance adaptive capacity.

• The governance network for coastal-marine resources in Jamaica consists of 70 actors, with approximately 46% being state actors and 54% being non-state actors.
• Social Network Analysis identifies the Department of Fisheries (DoFish) as having the highest betweenness centrality, indicating it plays a critical bridging role between community organizations and other national agencies.
• The Jamaican government has established the Climate Change Focal Point Network, consisting of 27 representatives from various ministries, departments, and agencies, to coordinate the implementation of adaptation strategies.
• While the Climate Change Focal Point Network strengthens horizontal ties between government agencies, it currently lacks representation from civil society groups, community-based organizations, and parish-level actors.
• Interagency committees, such as the Protected Areas Committee and the Beaches and Coastal Resources Committee, serve as vital platforms for knowledge exchange and face-to-face interaction, even if their primary mandates are not specifically focused on climate change adaptation.
• Public-private partnerships, such as the Sandals Foundation's work in Special Fishery Conservation Areas and NEPA's Development Assistance Centre, are increasing and have the potential to build adaptation capacity in coastal communities.

APA

Alexander, S. M., Armitage, D., Pittman, J., & Campbell, D. (n.d.). Can multilevel governance facilitate coastal climate change adaptation in Jamaica? Climate and Development Knowledge Network. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Working-Paper-Can-multilevel-governance-facilitate-coastal-climate-change-adaptation-in-Jamaica.pdf

Chicago

Alexander, Steven M., Derek Armitage, Jeremy Pittman, and Donovan Campbell. Can multilevel governance facilitate coastal climate change adaptation in Jamaica? Climate and Development Knowledge Network, n.d. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Working-Paper-Can-multilevel-governance-facilitate-coastal-climate-change-adaptation-in-Jamaica.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Alexander |first1=Steven M. |last2=Armitage |first2=Derek |last3=Pittman |first3=Jeremy |last4=Campbell |first4=Donovan |title=Can multilevel governance facilitate coastal climate change adaptation in Jamaica? |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |url=http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Working-Paper-Can-multilevel-governance-facilitate-coastal-climate-change-adaptation-in-Jamaica.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{alexanderndcan, author = {Alexander, Steven M. and Armitage, Derek and Pittman, Jeremy and Campbell, Donovan}, title = {{Can multilevel governance facilitate coastal climate change adaptation in Jamaica?}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, url = {http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Working-Paper-Can-multilevel-governance-facilitate-coastal-climate-change-adaptation-in-Jamaica.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }