Stakeholder engagement

A stakeholder engagement strategy is a key component for the successful implementation of priority projects. Properly engaging internal and external stakeholders will influence the effective implementation of the projects by creating awareness and support for action. Stakeholder engagement is also important in the ongoing incorporation of the products generated by projects such as mapping, modelling, case studies, strategies and plans into decision making processes and further adaptation action across the Region. The identification of champions across the Region is a better practice method, to be used in conjunction with other approaches, of raising awareness and gaining the interest and buy-in from stakeholders on the need to address climate risks and build resilience through adaptation.

Project stakeholders also include those organisations which are interested in the project but are not responsible for its delivery. These stakeholders must also consider their own engagement strategies to ensure they engage with, and support, the project owners. This is a key component of ensuring they leverage the project to realise maximum benefit from their involvement.

Additional considerations around stakeholder engagement and associated engagement plans include:

Providing information to key stakeholders on how they can take effective action to address climate risks and how they can engage in identifying means to address risks
The means which information will be provided to key stakeholders (i.e. consider engagement methods including informing, consulting and collaboration and their associated tools such as fact sheets, websites, workshops and public forums)
The need for any specific communication plans for particular stakeholders with targeted messages on climate risk
Promoting the Region’s commitment on adaptation and the actions being taken to respond to a changing climate through targeted communications
Communicating to staff in partner organisations the risks of a changing climate and the importance of providing attention to climate adaptation needs
Providing tailored climate risk training/education to key internal partner stakeholders and embedding awareness of climate effects in executive leadership development programs/training.