Using the Traction framework for intention setting
Introduction
As a framework for advancing climate adaptation action, Traction can be used at a range of entry points – as a means for setting intentions, as a design tool, or as a stock take to enable reflection on and evaluation of adaptation progress.
This guidance sets out a five-stage process for how a facilitator could use Traction as an intention setting tool with local individuals and groups that might be interested in forming a partnership for climate adaptation action. These individuals and groups are referred to as local actors.
Whilst this process offers a guide for using the Traction framework, it should not be seen as prescriptive – and should be adapted according to the local context and users.
Stage 1: Endorsement
First, the facilitator should review the Traction framework with the local actors to consider whether the framework will help the group to understand what may enable or inhibit adaptation progress as an intention setting exercise.
Actions:
- Facilitator shares the outline of the framework and the five enablers, and explains its use and purpose to the local actors.
- Facilitator seeks endorsement by the local actors, collective agreement on the purpose of the use of Traction framework, and identifies a smaller working group to take the process forward.
Stage 2: Co-design
The facilitator can then use the five enablers within the Traction framework to create a set of questions to shape the process with the local actors. These questions should be tested and refined to make sure they are relevant to their journey and appropriate for the local context. It is crucial that the questions create space for people to discuss what is important for them and their place.
Actions:
- The facilitator develops key questions to support the local actors to reflect on what is important in addressing climate adaptation in their place, potential enablers and inhibitors to progress and suggestions for looking forward using the Traction framework enablers, including:
Enabler 1: Policy and leadership contributing to visioning, goals, targets and outcomes
This refers to our policies, legislation and leadership help to set goals, targets and outcomes for us to adapt to climate change. This enabler offers opportunity to explore
- To what extent is climate adaptation is embedded across a broad range of policy areas such as health and wellbeing, social welfare, food, transport, environment and infrastructure and at a range of scales?
- To what extent is there policy coherence so that our adaptation actions do not undermine or conflict with other policies but rather reinforce and offer synergies to increase our adaptive capacity to climate change?
Enabler 2: Governance processes and capacity to respond including financing – defining and developing pathways from the present towards envisioned outcomes
Our governance processes and structures help to define and develop adaptation pathways. This enabler offers opportunity to explore
- To what extent are our adaptation pathways, both by formal enforcement by state agencies in line with policy frameworks, and informal means through civil society networks, advocacy and community mechanisms, supporting our journey towards a climate resilient society?
- To what extent have we secured financial resources and also have the capacity, knowledge and experience that enable us to make informed decisions, based on local realities?
Enabler 3: Synthesis and use of knowledge
Our adaptation actions need to be supported by the best knowledge and evidence available at the time of taking action, with those of us who have the responsibility for developing plans and policies having a good understanding of the knowledge and evidence behind climate change adaptation and its relation to other policies and aspects of daily life. This enabler offers opportunity to explore
- To what extent are we building our adaptation action based upon what is important for people and places, as well as scientific evidence and data?
Enabler 4: Collaboration, coordination and inclusion of civil society and the voices of communities
Effective adaptation action involves not only working across policy areas but bringing different parts of society together to work collaboratively on climate change responses. This enabler offers opportunity to explore
- To what extent are our communities and civil society involved in decision-making processes in a way that is fair and inclusive?
Enabler 5: Ethics and justice
The people and places that are most vulnerable to climate change impacts must be given full consideration when planning our adaptation responses, fully embedding considerations of fairness. This enabler offers the opportunity to explore:
- To what extent are some groups and communities disproportionately impacted by the changing climate or may have limited means to participate in addressing climate action? What is our understanding and response to gender and intersectional equity?
- To what extent are communities impacted by issues of vulnerability, inequality and disadvantage a part of collaboration and engaged in our framing of what is fair and just priorities for climate action?
- To what extent are the voices of those most impacted by the changing climate a part of solution-building?
- To what extent have we explored underlying power dynamics that compound disadvantage; and created space for reflective learning?
Download a set of example questions
Stage 3: Conversations
The facilitator, working with the local actors, can then use the questions to guide a series of focus group discussions with individuals and groups that might be interested in forming a partnership. These groups should be structured to allow a range of voices to be heard, for example with different sessions for civil society organisations, local authority representatives, and local leaders, as well as mixed sessions to enable different organisations to listen and speak to one another.
Actions:
- The facilitator and local actors arrange focus group discussions either online or face to face that enable different voices to be heard: men, women, older and younger people, and people from different organisations and backgrounds. Traction focus group discussions should engage 5-8 participants, and last around two hours, to allow people able to participate in a meaningful way. Safety in conversations needs to be assured, and the facilitator should make sure that group members actively listen to one another.
- The facilitator should provide at least two people to ensure facilitation and documentation for each discussion, including recording and transcribing the sessions.
Stage 4: Validation, Generating insights and interpretation
The facilitator can then extract key messages that have emerged through Traction framework analysis from the recordings and transcripts to share with Traction participants to validate.
Actions:
- The facilitator gathers perspectives on policy coherence and leadership, developing pathways and how knowledge and information are used, cooperation and governance including who is and should be part of strategy building, climate justice and fairness
- The facilitator should then review findings with a small group of Traction participants to validate and gather initial feedback, reflection and priorities.
- Traction participants can then generate a briefing note on findings and ideas of what should happen next as a basis of sharing with the wider local actors.
Stage 5: Documentation and shared analysis
The facilitator, with Traction participants, can then generate an evidence report to demonstrate what is working well – to be used as a part of communication – and what could be better to inform intention setting.
Actions:
- Facilitator generates initial reports on progress and areas for development taking into account:
– Perspectives of stakeholders through Traction analysis
– Policy documents – these include strategies, frameworks, plans etc.
– Collaboration opportunities – schemes and organisations that facilitate collaboration - The facilitator, with Traction participants can then lead workshops and small working groups to analyse and progress identified priorities
- A report is generated consolidating findings and recommendations
- The local actors generate communication products for the public and local authorities on opportunities
