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Social capital and incremental transformative change: responding to climate change experts in Metro Manila

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Abstract

This research examines climate change responses by experts from government, national agencies, civil society organizations, and private firms in Metro Manila. We found that highly bonding social capital, often forged through more familiar relationships, reduces organizational interactions and the potential for efficient knowledge mobilization. Specifically, results show deficiencies in information delivery (inconsistent lexicon) and support systems (knowledge sharing, partnerships, and resources), situations known to hinder climate change action. Despite ambivalence toward changing the current system, experts expressed (a) undertones of displeasure in how the system operates, and (b) a clear desire for more institutionalized action and mandates at various institutional scales. A predominance of bonding social capital can preclude participation from outside actors resulting in the exclusion of innovations needed to advance climate response. Therefore, we propose incremental shifts to existing social capital as a means to achieve transformations, arguing that a synergy of horizontal and vertical networks could increase efficiencies in information processes, strengthen collaborations, and enhance governance to confront climate change in this context.

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Notes

  1. The Philippines fluctuates in its regrettable distinction as the second or third most disaster-prone country depending on year and ranking criteria (Bankoff 2016; Cai 2017; Meerow 2017).

  2. In this research, these individuals are experts working on climate change through their professional organizational roles and capacities.

  3. The terms CSOs and NGOs are used interchangeably in this research.

  4. Issues involving roadways, waterways, or population straddling LGU boundaries may necessitate collaboration by multiple LGUs. Resolutions largely depend on LGU directives as collaboration is mostly not mandated (Porio 2012).

  5. Current and accurate directories for CSOs and NGOs do not exist (Clarke 2012). Participants were located by scrutiny of previous records, lists, and direct query of experts working in related fields.

  6. Four LGUs requested group rather than individual interviews.

  7. These lists were referenced by LGU participants. A physical list was never provided to, or obtainable by, the researcher.

  8. Community knowledge concerns suggestions or input from community members, regardless of affiliations.

  9. Results may not reflect all information sharing processes since the document sample was random.

  10. The political landscape within which study organizations operate was cautiously observed since it was too soon and, potentially, risky for participants to fully critique at the time this research occurred.

  11. Project NOAH has since been re-homed by the University of the Philippines, Diliman, where its moniker is now UP-NOAH.

  12. This project was not noted by name but the generic term, floodgates, was offered as a successful project (Fig. 2). While this could reflect issues with terminology discussed earlier, such speculation is not possible.

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Acknowledgements

This research was generously funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship and an International Development Research Centre Doctoral Research Award. Gratitude is extended to many individuals at De La Salle University, Manila, especially Dr. Francisco Magno for network insights and in-roads while undertaking this research. We thank Dr. Sarah Burch, Dr. Jennifer Dean, Dr. Pierre Filion, and Xing Su for their recommendations throughout the research and writing processes. In addition, we gratefully acknowledge and thank the three anonymous reviewers who provided invaluable and detailed suggestions and comments to guide and enhance this final paper.

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    Katherine E. Laycock & Carrie L. Mitchell

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Correspondence to Katherine E. Laycock.

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Laycock, K.E., Mitchell, C.L. Social capital and incremental transformative change: responding to climate change experts in Metro Manila. Climatic Change 152, 47–66 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-018-2360-6

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