Examine how knowledge about Sámi reindeer herding and climate change is produced by the Sámi reindeer herders and researchers, and who gets to take part in this knowledge production. Futhermore, I examine whether, to what extent, and which forms of knowledge the authorities use in ther adaption strategies for the Sámi reindeer herding. 

Project leader: Anna-Laila Danielsen

Since 2000, 2.3 billion people have been affected by natural disasters, highlighting the need to strengthen local communities’ resilience to climate risks. However, local actors often struggle to translate resilience into effective strategies, while existing decision-support tools primarily emphasize technical and functional dimensions and fail to adequately capture local contexts and experiences.

RETRACE addresses this challenge by integrating local and cultural forms of resilience, including lived experience as well as intergenerational, traditional and experiential knowledge, into decision-support tools. The project focuses on communities particularly exposed to climate risks in polar regions and the Pacific Islands: Marquesan communities in French Polynesia, Sámi and Kven communities in Norway, and the Ahtna people in Alaska.

Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, RETRACE brings together qualitative data developed collaboratively with local communities and based on local narratives, traditions, experiences and knowledge, with quantitative data from open-source datasets. The project will develop a decision-support system for understanding and implementing locally adapted climate resilience strategies, while developing a methodology that can be transferred to other contexts.

Project leader at NTNU: Sara Heidenreich

Website: RETRACE – NTNU

Climate transitions are shaped by international and national goals and policy measures, but are implemented in specific local contexts where different development needs, institutional frameworks and existing vulnerabilities influence both what can be achieved and how impacts are distributed. There is therefore a need for better knowledge of how climate policies affect equity and social inequality at the local level, and whether planned transition processes are socially just and feasible in practice.

ReCAPS investigates how global and national climate policy ambitions are translated into practice, with a particular focus on societal readiness for just climate transitions. The project compares six urban areas in Europe and Africa: Zagreb, Greater Nairobi, Trondheim, Greater Lisbon, Cape Town and Lusaka. This comparative approach will shed light on how the implementation of climate policies is shaped by different governance systems, societal conditions and development contexts.

The project will develop methods and tools for analysing how climate policies are implemented across different contexts and for assessing how well societies and institutions are equipped to achieve just transition processes. Through a robust empirical and comparative evidence base, ReCAPS aims to help ensure that future climate transition strategies better account for practical implementation challenges and their implications for social justice.

Project leader at NTNU: Sara Heidenreich

Climate change is increasing the risk of natural hazards in the Nordic countries, and some small and rural communities are particularly vulnerable. These communities need to be able to prevent and manage adverse events and build local capacity, while also relying on cooperation with public authorities and civil society when local resources are insufficient.

CliCNord investigates how small communities understand their own vulnerabilities, respond to adverse events and build capacity to address climate-related risks, as well as when and under what circumstances they need support from established emergency preparedness systems and civil society organisations. The project includes eight case studies in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, addressing hazards such as storm surges, cloudbursts, wildfires, extreme temperatures, landslides, floods and storms.

Drawing on the different phases of disaster management and primarily qualitative social science methods, CliCNord will develop a framework to strengthen collaboration between local communities and public authorities on prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. The framework will be transferable to other vulnerable communities and contribute to strengthening local resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Project leader: Sara Heidenreich

Website: CliCNord Research Project

The project works directly with stakeholders across research, policy and business, including citizens, to strengthen social innovation, collaboration between the social sciences and humanities (SSH) and STEM disciplines, transdisciplinary and cross-sectoral policy development, inclusive engagement, and SSH research communities across Europe. The overall aim is to help accelerate the EU’s transition to climate neutrality.

The project addresses this challenge by supporting cross-sectoral collaboration and empowering citizens and networks to participate in the development of socially innovative solutions for the EU’s climate transition.

Project leader: Sara Heidenreich

Website: SSH CENTRE – Social Sciences & Humanities for Climate, Energy aNd Transport Research Excellence