Academics, practitioners and end users alike are showing an increasing interest in the use of adaptation pathways analysis. This is seen as an alternate or complementary way to identify and prioritise adaptation options to traditional methods like vulnerability assessments. Conceptually, it has many advantages but like any emerging technique, turning adaptation pathways theory into practice has proven challenging in Australia in recent years.

Based on a survey of participants involved with developing adaptation pathways maps for eight adaptation planning projects over the past 2 years, this presentation will discuss key findings relating to applying adaptation pathways analysis via participatory processes. Specific findings will be discussed regarding the steps in the pathways process that prove particularly challenging for participants and how to better ensure that outputs provide useful information for end-user planning processes and developing work action plans. Last, we will discuss methodological issues that need to be further worked on to increase the applicability of this emerging technique.