Methodological approaches for stakeholder and citizens consultation on geo-hydrological risk: a systematic review

Risk communication, risk perception, and community behaviour are foundations to any successful disaster risk reduction strategy. The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly frequent, and communities need to be informed at all levels about how to respond and to adapt to climate-related risks. All components of a community – Authorities, scientists, stakeholders and citizens – should be involved in the adaptation and response processes, which can be achieved through various methods. A systematic review following the PRISMA statement was conducted to explore methods of stakeholder involvement and consultation, tools, and consultation channels. The different approaches may be influenced by the community composition, the timeframes, and the consideration of the most effective ways of involvement and communication.

This study is part of a broader research effort within the national project REFOCUSING - “Fostering climate change adaptation of local communities through a participatory risk communication strategy”, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (PRIN 2022) which aims to identify the strength and weakness of current risk communication strategies in two Italian Municipalities areas. In particular, one of the objectives of the project is focussed on designing and implementing participatory processes involving key stakeholders. The participatory consultation process is intended to strengthen the interaction between citizens and Authorities, facilitating the exchange of information on the impact of climate change.

The objective of the systematic review aligns with some specific project goals:

• To assess stakeholders’ perception of climate-related risk;
• To identify the strengths and weaknesses of current disaster communication processes;
• To initiate participatory processes involving citizens in the pursuit of climate change adaptation.

A total of 302 scientific articles and examples of public participation were collected, focusing on floods, landslides, coastal erosion, and geo-hydrological risks related to climate change. Workshops, public events, and surveys targeting specific individuals appear to be the most commonly applied and effective methods. As a result, semi-structured interviews are frequently chosen, both to obtain meaningful responses, to explore the best shared solutions across all levels and categories of the community, and to allow for flexibility in adapting the discussions. The more localised the hazards, the greater the involvement of local stakeholders; whereas for hazards or issues with broader impacts, the intervention of regional or national levels becomes almost essential. The general tendency is to allocate economic resources and personnel in alignment with existing capabilities.

The final goal of the research project is to apply the knowledge gained in the study areas and enhance the interaction and dialogue between citizens and decision-makers/legislators regarding the impacts of climate change and the adaptation strategies.