Introduction: How Climate Change Adaptation is Addressed Through Science-Policy-Action Nexus in This Book

In a historical period characterised by the increasingly serious impacts of climate change, the need to develop adaptive strategies to address complex and interconnected challenges has become an imperative that can no longer be postponed. The need to address this phenomenon calls for the adoption of a comprehensive, multi-risk approach, requiring the integration of cutting-edge scientific knowledge and practical experience. This approach includes collaborative public policy formulation, leveraging collective stakeholder understanding and facilitating pervasive and strategic actions on the ground. Precisely the Science-Policy interface emerges as a crucial dimension in this scenario of change, requiring the transfer and co-production of knowledge between climate experts, spatial planners, and policy makers. Also, the Policy-Action interface is central, requiring a re-evaluation of spatial policy frameworks and the development of new operational tools and processes. Starting from these premises, the book emphasises the collaborative efforts of the main actors that characterise this triple science-policy-action relationship: scholars, policy makers, civil servants, and practitioners. This publication unfolds in three distinct sections, each meticulously addressing a critical dimension of the overall challenge. The narrative is structured to traverse the intricate landscape of scientific inquiry, policy formulation, and the imperative for transformative action. As this scientific exploration proceeds, the integration of different disciplines and the imperative for collaborative efforts underscore the need for a holistic approach in addressing the multiple impacts of climate change.