Knowledge Networks for Climate Adaptation: Innovation and Exchange Among Local Authorities

As climate change intensifies, European local authorities (LAs) face growing pressure to adapt effectively. This article explores how LAs acquire and disseminate climate and policy knowledge, with a focus on their participation in EU-funded Research and Innovation (R&I) projects and Transnational Municipal Networks (TMNs). Findings rest on a mixed-method approach combining Social Network Analysis and semi-structured interviews. We first map over 500 LAs involved in climate-related R&I projects and nearly 14,000 LAs participating in 12 TMNs. Social Network Analysis (SNA) is used to identify influential hubs, LAs that have potential to both generate and spread adaptation knowledge. Interviews with civil servants in 9 identified municipalities provide granular insights into knowledge exchange and dissemination among European LAs. We find considerable variation in participation across LAs, both in R&I projects and TMN membership. Cities like Lisbon, Milan, and Tampere emerge as potential “super-spreaders”, displaying high centrality and the potential to bridge otherwise disconnected parts of the European network. Interviews with civil servants reveal that cities have different interaction strategies, focusing their resources on projects and networks that will further their interests.