Current landscape of knowledge networks for climate change adaptation in Europe

The complex and interconnected nature of climate change together and the need to adapt to such changes demands for collective efforts, expertise, and resources across a range of actors and scales of action (Bidwell et al., 2013). In this context, knowledge networks can be defined as "A set of nodes — individuals or group of individuals heterogeneously distributed that serve as agents for storing, creating and sharing knowledge on climate change adaptation — interconnected by social relationships that enable and constrain the nodes’ efforts to acquire, transfer, create and act upon such knowledge" (adapted from Phelps, 2012). Depending on their nature and scope, these knowledge networks can operate in multiple ways towards advancing and promoting climate change adaptation efforts e.g. by facilitating the exchange and creation of knowledge and ideas, mobilization of resources, fostering collaborations, social learning, and connecting different levels of governance (Pugh and Prusak, 2013). In addition, these knowledge networks can also support a range of efforts such as informing policy, raising awareness, enhancing social learning, guiding business-related advocacy and assist social activism (Bremer et al., 2022). However, current knowledge of these types of networks operating in Europe is limited. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic literature review to understand the landscape of these networks in Europe in order to gain insights into key typologies, their role in supporting adaptation across a range of (often interconnected) scales of action, their governance structures, and the use of climate information in their adaptation-related efforts. Based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria adopted, we identified approximately 40 knowledge networks covering a range of areas of intervention, scales of operation as well as different types of actors involved. This paper will present the findings from our analysis providing new insights into the current landscape of these networks and how they operate and interact to support adaptation efforts in Europe. By doing so, the paper constitutes a key contribution to ongoing discussions on how to improve and maximise adaptation efforts across scales, actors and typologies of interventions in Europe.